Software Licencing And Copyright Questions Medium
Open source software and public domain software are both types of software that have different characteristics and implications in terms of licensing and copyright.
Open source software refers to software that is released with a license that allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software. The source code of open source software is made available to the public, allowing users to study and modify the code as per their requirements. The main characteristic of open source software is that it promotes collaboration and community-driven development, where users can contribute to the improvement and enhancement of the software. However, it is important to note that open source software still has copyright protection, and the license terms may vary depending on the specific open source license used.
On the other hand, public domain software refers to software that is not protected by copyright and is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute without any restrictions. Public domain software is not subject to any license terms or restrictions, and it can be used for any purpose without the need for attribution or payment. Unlike open source software, public domain software does not have any copyright protection, and it is considered to be part of the public domain, meaning it is not owned by anyone and can be freely used by anyone.
In summary, the main difference between open source software and public domain software lies in the licensing and copyright aspects. Open source software is released with a license that allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software while still retaining copyright protection. Public domain software, on the other hand, is not protected by copyright and can be freely used, modified, and distributed without any restrictions.