Software Licensing

Question 1

Software Licensing

Answer 1

Determines how software can be used, modified, and shared

Question 2

Free Software

Answer 2

● Provides users with full freedom to use, modify, share, and
distribute

	● "Free" means freedom, not price
	
	● Emphasizes user rights and ethical software usage

Question 3

Free Software Example

Answer 3

GNU/Linux distributions like Debian and Trisquel

Question 4

Open Source Software

Answer 4

● Allows access to source code for transparency, collaboration, and
security

● Encourages community-driven innovation and security
improvements

● Not all Open Source Software aligns with Free Software principles

	○ Example

		■ Linux is both Free and Open Source, but Google
		Chrome includes proprietary components

● Some Open Source Software may include restrictions such as
Digital Rights Management (DRM) or proprietary add-ons

Question 5

Proprietary Software

Answer 5

● Restricts user access to source code

● Users cannot modify, share, or distribute the software

● Often requires a paid license and agreement to strict terms of use

● Users depend on the vendor for updates, bug fixes, and support

Question 6

Copyleft Software

Answer 6

● Ensures that modified versions of Free Software remain Free
Software

● Requires that any modified versions be shared under the same
original license

● GNU General Public License (GPL) is a common Copyleft license

Question 7

Copyleft Example

Answer 7

Linux kernel (GPL-licensed), which requires all modified
versions to remain open-source

Question 8

Permissive Licenses (e.g., Apache Web Server)

Answer 8

○ Permissive licenses allow modifications to become
proprietary

	○ Example

		■ Apache Web Server code can be used in
		proprietary applications