• • Top 5 Most Popular OSI-Approved Open Source Licenses of 2021
  • 1. MIT License
  • Key Features:
  • Examples:
  • 2. GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPLv3)
  • Key Features:
  • Examples:
  • 3. Apache License 2.0
  • Key Features:
  • Examples:
  • 4. GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 (LGPLv3)
  • Key Features:
  • Examples:
  • 5. BSD 3-Clause License
  • Key Features:
  • Examples:
  • Conclusion

Top 5 Most Popular OSI-Approved Open Source Licenses of 2021

Open source software has revolutionized the way we develop and consume technology. At the heart of this movement lies the concept of open source licensing, a legal framework that governs the use, modification, and distribution of software. The Open Source Initiative (OSI) plays a crucial role in approving licenses that adhere to the principles of open source. This article delves into the top 5 most popular OSI-approved open source licenses of 2021, providing insights into their features, benefits, and real-world applications.

1. MIT License

The MIT License stands as one of the most permissive and widely adopted open source licenses. Its simplicity and flexibility have contributed to its popularity among developers.

Key Features:

• Permissive: Grants broad permissions to use, modify, distribute, and even sublicense the software.
• Attribution Required: Users must include the original copyright notice and license text in all copies or substantial portions of the software.
• No Warranty: The software is provided “as is,” without any warranty of any kind.

Examples:

• jQuery
• Rails
• Bootstrap

2. GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPLv3)

The GPLv3 is a copyleft license that aims to protect the freedom to use, study, share, and modify software. It is known for its strong stance on software freedom.

Key Features:

• Copyleft: Requires that any derivative works based on the software are also licensed under the GPLv3.
• Source Code Availability: Users who distribute the software must make the source code available to recipients.
• Patent Protection: Offers explicit patent protection for users of the software.

Examples:

• Linux kernel
• GNU Emacs
• MySQL (before its acquisition by Oracle)

3. Apache License 2.0

The Apache License 2.0 is a permissive license that balances the needs of developers and users. It is widely used in enterprise software and cloud computing.

Key Features:

• Permissive: Allows for commercial use, modification, distribution, and sublicensing.
• Attribution Required: Users must provide attribution to the original authors.
• Patent Protection: Grants both express and implied patent licenses to users.

Examples:

• Apache HTTP Server
• Android operating system
• Kubernetes

4. GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 (LGPLv3)

The LGPLv3 is a less restrictive version of the GPLv3. It is designed for libraries and allows them to be used in both open source and proprietary software.

Key Features:

• Library-Friendly: Allows linking with both open source and proprietary software.
• Source Code Availability: Requires that modifications to the library itself be licensed under the LGPLv3, but not necessarily the entire software that uses the library.
• Patent Protection: Offers patent protection similar to the GPLv3.

Examples:

• GNU C Library (glibc)
• OpenSSL
• Qt framework

5. BSD 3-Clause License

The BSD 3-Clause License is a simple and permissive license that originated from the University of California, Berkeley. It is known for its minimal restrictions.

Key Features:

• Permissive: Allows for commercial use, modification, distribution, and sublicensing.
• Attribution Required: Users must include the original copyright notice and license text in all copies or substantial portions of the software.
• No Warranty: The software is provided “as is,” without any warranty of any kind.

Examples:

• FreeBSD operating system
• Nginx web server
• SQLite database

Conclusion

Open source licenses play a vital role in fostering innovation and collaboration in the software industry. The top 5 most popular OSI-approved licenses of 2021, including the MIT License, GPLv3, Apache License 2.0, LGPLv3, and BSD 3-Clause License, offer a range of options for developers to choose from based on their specific needs and goals. Understanding the nuances of these licenses is essential for both creators and users of open source software to ensure compliance and promote the continued growth of the open source ecosystem.