open-source-licensing
Safeguard articles tagged "open-source-licensing" — guides, analysis, and best practices for software supply chain and application security.
47 articles
GPL Meaning Explained: What the GNU General Public License Requires
GPL means GNU General Public License, a copyleft license that grants broad freedoms but requires you to share source under the same terms. Here is what that means for your code.
BSD 3-Clause License Explained
The BSD 3-clause license is one of the most permissive open source licenses in wide use — here's what its three conditions actually require and how it differs from MIT and Apache 2.0.
The MIT Software License: What It Permits and What to Watch For
The MIT software license is short, permissive, and lets you do almost anything as long as you keep the copyright notice. Here is what it actually requires and where teams still get tripped up.
Copyleft Meaning Explained: How Reciprocal Licenses Work
The meaning of copyleft, in plain terms: how reciprocal licenses keep software free, how strong and weak copyleft differ, and why it changes how you use open source dependencies.
MIT License and Commercial Use: What You Can and Cannot Do
The MIT License lets you use, modify, and sell software commercially with almost no restrictions — as long as you keep the copyright notice. Here is exactly what that permits and requires.
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.
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.
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