open-source-licensing
Safeguard articles tagged "open-source-licensing" — guides, analysis, and best practices for software supply chain and application security.
47 articles
Apache v2: What the Apache License 2.0 Actually Requires
A plain-English guide to Apache v2 — what the Apache License 2.0 permits, the obligations it puts on you, its patent grant, and how it affects your open-source compliance.
Copyleft vs Permissive Licenses
Copyleft and permissive licenses trigger different legal obligations. Here's how GPL, AGPL, MIT, and Apache 2.0 actually differ — with real lawsuits and relicensing cases.
What Is the Most Restrictive Open Source License?
The AGPL is usually named the most restrictive open source license because its copyleft reaches across the network. Here is what that means and how it compares to permissive licenses.
Is the MIT License Free for Commercial Use? What You Need to Know
Yes, the MIT License is free for commercial use, including in closed-source and paid products. Here is what the license actually requires and how it compares to Apache 2.0.
What Are the Different Types of Licenses in Software? A Security View
The different types of licenses in software fall into a few families - permissive, copyleft, weak copyleft, and proprietary - and each carries distinct legal and supply chain obligations.
Apache Software License Explained: What Apache 2.0 Means for Your Code
The Apache Software License is one of the most permissive open source licenses. Here is what Apache 2.0 permits, its patent grant, and the one rule teams miss.
Copyleft Licenses: What They Mean for Your Code
A copyleft license requires that derivative works stay under the same license, which can force you to open-source code you thought was proprietary. Here is how copyleft works and how to manage the risk.
OSS License Types Explained and Their Compliance Risks
A field guide to OSS license types, from permissive MIT and Apache to copyleft GPL and AGPL, and the obligations each one puts on the code you ship.
The GPL License Explained: What It Means for Software Security
A practitioner's walkthrough of what the GPL license actually requires, why it matters for your dependency tree, and how it intersects with software security and compliance.
The BSD License: Full Form and Terms Explained
The BSD license full form is the Berkeley Software Distribution license — a permissive open-source license with fewer obligations than the GPL family, and a few variants worth telling apart.
GNU AGPL vs GPL: When AGPL Actually Applies
The GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 closes the network-use loophole that GPL leaves open — here's exactly when that difference matters for your codebase.
Software Escrow and Supply Chain Continuity Planning
Most escrow deposits are write-only: nobody ever verifies they build. What escrow actually covers, when to pay for verification, and what continuity means for SaaS and OSS.
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