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Survey Results

What's important to you when considering the license of open source code?

Survey period: 24 Jan 2022 to 31 Jan 2022

The "use it for free" statement has many, many subtle shades. Not the least in the term "free". What's most important to you?

OptionVotes% 
The ability to make changes to the code without having to publish my changes21234.98
Unrestricted access to the source code24740.76
Granting of explicit rights (usage, patent etc)13121.62
Clarity on what happens if use of the code results in damages457.43
No restrictions on use (even against using the code for illegal purposes)12220.13
Ability to redistribute the code in any form I choose21134.82
The ability to link the code with other code that may have a different license19932.84
I generally don't pay much attention to licenses. If I can view it, I use it.17328.55
Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer; totals may not add up to 100%



 
GeneralWhy isn't there an option "for commercial use"? Pin
Kate-X25726-Jan-22 0:20
Kate-X25726-Jan-22 0:20 
GeneralRe: Why isn't there an option "for commercial use"? Pin
Dan Neely26-Jan-22 3:20
Dan Neely26-Jan-22 3:20 
GeneralRe: Why isn't there an option "for commercial use"? Pin
Kate-X25722-Feb-22 22:15
Kate-X25722-Feb-22 22:15 
GeneralDo answers on Codeproject and Stackoverflow count? Pin
Jacquers25-Jan-22 5:18
Jacquers25-Jan-22 5:18 
GeneralJust a little note about the survey wording Pin
ElectronProgrammer25-Jan-22 4:44
ElectronProgrammer25-Jan-22 4:44 
I know that the "free" word is in quotation marks but just wanted to point out that open source code is not necessarily free for all uses. As an example, it may not be free for commercial uses.

Of course someone could just copy it but, if found by the author, could originate another lengthy/costly court case about Intellectual Property.

Just wanted to point that out as there has been some debate and confusion about that topic and this, sometimes, degenerates into angry developers doing (let us call it) "not so nice things".

As I understand, most code has a license that can be:
- free open source (the ultimate freedom)
- open source for non-commercial use
- open source with closed source components (which can be paid or not)
- free closed source (freeware for all)
- free closed source for non-commercial use (freeware)
- commercial closed source
- (I am sure there are others I forgot)
GeneralOpen source coder angst worries me Pin
Cpichols25-Jan-22 2:14
Cpichols25-Jan-22 2:14 
GeneralI don't re-invent the wheel, but... PinPopular
Sander Rossel24-Jan-22 23:09
professionalSander Rossel24-Jan-22 23:09 
GeneralMissing option PinPopular
PIEBALDconsult24-Jan-22 2:49
mvePIEBALDconsult24-Jan-22 2:49 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
Jacquers24-Jan-22 20:35
Jacquers24-Jan-22 20:35 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
JP Reyes25-Jan-22 4:44
JP Reyes25-Jan-22 4:44 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
Jacquers25-Jan-22 5:15
Jacquers25-Jan-22 5:15 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
MKJCP25-Jan-22 2:57
MKJCP25-Jan-22 2:57 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
Matt Bond25-Jan-22 4:56
Matt Bond25-Jan-22 4:56 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
jsrjsr25-Jan-22 12:35
professionaljsrjsr25-Jan-22 12:35 
GeneralRe: Missing option Pin
Nemanja Trifunovic26-Jan-22 2:21
Nemanja Trifunovic26-Jan-22 2:21 

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