Organizational Transition

Your organization wants to use open source but does not understand how the licensing works.  Explain in a well-written memo to your boss, in laymans terms, how it works and what suggestions you have for your organization using Linux. Check for typos and make it professional.

Chris Jackson

XYZ Inc.

817 Plumas

Reno, NV 89509

Bob DeBoss

XYZ Inc.

1000 River Run Rd

Reno, NV 89999

Dear Mr. DeBoss,

I was informed that you wanted to move in the direction of open source for you company and could use some help if figuring out which direction is the right one. One thing I can tell you right off the back is that with any open source license it must be kept in mind that this will give anyone the right to download, modify, and distribute any software you release under the license. They will be able to do this without paying for any of the software or royalties to you as well.

Now if you are looking to go completely open and are more concerned with collaboration than commercial use then you can go for something like the GPL. This license really pushes for an open community where use of open source in conjunction with commercial proprietary software is looked down upon. Where BSD is the opposite and gives one the right to use the software any way one see's fit. This includes open source, proprietary and commercial software.

This subject is a really large one and can be very intimidating. With what little I know, my recommendation would be the BSD path because of the commercial presence of your company. Keep in mind that there are at least 20 different licenses for open source and more research may prove useful. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Chris Jackson