OSS

   
Software Licenses

Books

Open Source
   Glossary
      Advertising Clause
      Compatible Licenses
      Copyleft
      Derivative Works
      Dual Licensing
      FLOSS
      FOSS
      Free Software
      Incompatible Licenses
      OSD
      OSI Certified
      OSS
      Permissive Licenses
      Viral Licenses
   Licenses
      AGPL
      Apache
      Apple
      Artistic
      BSD
      CDDL
      CPL
      EPL
      GPL v2
      GPL v3
      IPL
      LGPL
      MIT
      Mozilla
      SPL
      X License
      X11 License
   Organizations
      ASF
      FSF
      OSI
      SFLC
   People
      Bruce Perens
      Eben Moglen
      Eric Raymond
      Lawrence Lessig
      Linus Torvalds
      Richard Stallman

Proprietary
   Closed Source
   Freeware
   Shareware

Public Domain

Shared Source
   MS Community License
   MS Permissive License


 
 














































 
Software Licenses   >   Open Source   >   Glossary   >   OSS

OSS


Open Source Software (abbreviated as "OSS") is computer software for which the source code is made available, and for which it is usually (some exceptions, rules and restrictions may apply) permitted to study, modify and improve the software. Additionally, users are also normally permitted (again, exceptions, rules and restrictions may apply) to distribute the software in modified or unmodified form.

Open Source is not a trademark, so while most people used the term in broadly the same way, sometimes you may find that software described as "Open Source" is actually being distributed on a different licensing basis, etc. To reduce the possibility of confusion, the Open Source Initiative developed a set of 10 criteria (OSD) for Open Source licenses, and those licenses which have been verified as satisfying those critera may be described as OSI Certified.

In practical terms, most Open Source Software may also be considered Free Software and vice-versa. The two are therefore often placed together in a combined category named either Free/Open-Source Software ("FOSS") or Free/Libre/Open-Source Software ("FLOSS").

Related Links
 
       

 
 
   
 
 
       
ThinkGeek - Cube Goodies!
 
       
 
 
 
 
   

 
       
This site is for general information only, and represents the opinions of the authors only. This site was NOT written, NOR reviewed, NOR vetted by lawyers. The content of this site is NOT intended as, NOR should be construed as, legal or professional advice. You should consult a lawyer, if you need a legal opinion or advice on any legal matter.

Copyright © 2007-2008, Answers 2000 Limited

Privacy   Terms of Use

In Association With Amazon.com
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
All third party content and adverts are copyright of their respective owners.