Re: [OS:N:] Another question about Licenses

[Chris Spencer <cspencer cait org>]

I like to encourage dual licenses.  Releasing under the GPL tends to
make things popular quick and often times communities can spring up
around something.  This can be good for making a name for yourself and
can be good for improving computing in general.  However, it can make it
difficult to earn a living.

A dual licensing scheme can enable both the ability to earn a living and
to contribute to the open source movement.

Such a license usually says that for non-proprietary use the code is GPL
but if someone wants to use it in their for profit product they will
have to pay you and you can make them pay you dearly.  

It will reduce your advertising costs tremendously to use such a license
scheme.

Of course if you later decide to stop producing updates/upgrades of the
software under the GPL you can.

Everyone should win.

-Chris

On Fri, 2003-11-07 at 17:08, Anthony Saffer wrote:
> >From the answers to my original post surrounding the GPL and its application
> I am beginning to wonder if the GPL is indeed the license I need for my
> software.
> 
> Basically, what I am wanting to do is this: I am working on a tool that will
> be of use to software developers. I want to sell this product but include
> the source code in each package sold. This way, companies will be able to
> change things to suit their needs. However, I want to maintain a fairly
> tight control over the source so I want to license it in such a way that
> they cannot turn around and resell it or give it away themselves (even
> modified versions). I also want all revisions that they make to be
> resubmitted to me so that I can decide to include it in a future release or
> not (or I am seriously thinking about just distributing the mods for free to
> customers), Knowing all of this, is the GPL still right for me? If not, what
> would you suggest?
> 
> I want it to remain "open source" in that everyone gets a copy of the source
> when they purchase it. But I want to maintain control so that I can protect
> the integrity of the software.
> 
> Thanks,
> Anthony
> 
> 
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