How Many Open Source Licenses Do You Need?

jammag writes "Bruce Perens, who wrote the original licensing rules for Open Source software in 1997, notes that there are a sprawling 73 open source licenses currently in existence. But he identifies an essential four — well, actually just two — that developers, companies, and individuals need. In essence, he cuts through the morass and shows developers, in particular, how to protect their work. (And yes, he favors GPL3 over GPL2.) For his own coding work, he's fond of the 'sharing with rules' license, which stays true to the Open Source ethos of shared code yet also enables him to get paid by companies who use it in their commercial products."

Comments

Over 9000

[Reality Master 201]

Maybe more.

Re:A question of values

[jellomizer]

I think I agree with your point. That the developer should choose a license that they agree with for their product. However you wording is kinda off. RMS has a unique view of Software, Business and the world, and really isn't open to opposing ideas, and likes to place people in Good and Evil Categories, with a thin gray area.
While others don't see the world like that there is much more of a gray area and different ideas of fair use.

Such as Free for Personal and Education however if you are going to make money off that software you should get a cut too.

Or the FreeBSD license where you are OK if the people take you code and use it without any extra responsibility.

Then there others who say they don't want their code used for Military/Government use.

Others want full control of the product and doesn't want it to fork.

The GNU isn't the only game in town and it may not be the most moral as well. Such as the "TiVoization" distinction between Consumer User application and Corporate use applications, aka Lets be nice to IBM who is a big supporter, and let some things slide for them.

Just one

[Anonymous Coward]

You only need one license.. The WTFPL

42

[BlueYoshi]

It could be this question!