1178
Unpopular Opinion
(lemmy.ml)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2023
1178 points (92.6% liked)
Memes
45248 readers
2142 users here now
Rules:
- Be civil and nice.
- Try not to excessively repost, as a rule of thumb, wait at least 2 months to do it if you have to.
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
What about licenses that restrict the software from being used in a certain way? I think I've heard of at least one open-source license that disallows the software from being used in the military industry.
I mean yeah that's cool but are you really going to sue Lockheed-Martin? Like realistically if they wanted to they could take your code, say its theirs and what are you gonna do about it?
A license that has restrictions like that doesn't meet the criteria to call itself "open source."
You're free to use whatever license you want for software you write.
The term "open source" has an actual definition, just like the term "free software" does. Both definitions say you can't restrict who can use the software or what they can use it for.
Free/libre software is not the same as open source, but I agree that it is difficult to enforce prohibitions with source available.
No, I mean that item number 6 of the Open Source Definition specifically states you cannot restrict the use of the software for any particular field or endeavor. That includes use in military applications.
If you have restrictions like that in your license, it's not open source.
Broke: "corporations are people"
Woke: "Militaries are people"
I like the idea a lot but my understanding is that they're unenforceable. I'd go with one of those if I thought they worked, though.
Could be! I think even having a source available closed license is probably difficult to enforce for the same reason: corporate law is mostly about who has a pile of cash to burn and that's not me lol