A Simple Guide to Licensing

[DeltaDizzy]

How to License, Simply

 

Have you ever wanted to release something her on the forums, but all those license guides are just too complicated? Here are a few common licenses and what they mean. Most of this actually comes from tl;dr legal.

 

MIT:

The MIT license allows you to use the licensed thing(software) to earn money. You can also change it, give out copies of the software, license the modified version under a more restrictive license, and use the software privately. You cannot blame the author of the software if something bad happens because of the software. You must include the license in all copies you give out or sell(distribute), and you must provide a copyright notice in all copies you distribute.

 

GPLv3:

The GPLv3 license allows you to use the software to earn money, make changes to it, distribute it, place a warranty on it, and place patent claims on it. You cannot license modifications under a more restrictive license or hold the author of the software liable for anything bad that happens. You must include the original program(if modified), state any changes made, provide a link to the source of the original, include the license, include a copyright notice, and include Install Instructions for the software.

 

More licenses will come soon, although Creative Commons licenses will not be covered becuase the Creative Commons website provides simple explanations for their licenses.

[Alshain]

We have a guide for this in the Addon Discussion forum.

 

[DeltaDizzy]

I know, but whn I used that exact thread, I just came away a little confused(especially about GPL).