Policy Perfection: Open Source Software Usage Policy

Review an open source software policy template that provides a starting point for companies to create and implement an open source software policy. Developing an open source policy ensures both consistent use of open source software throughout an organization and mitigation against the potential risks of using open source software.

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• Open Source Software Fundamentals
  Familiarize yourself with the basics of open source software. Understand what constitutes open source software, the different types of open source software, considerations when choosing whether to use open source software, elements to cover in an open source software policy, and legal issues that may arise when using open source software.

• Open Source License Considerations
  Review key considerations and requirements for the most common open source software licenses. Learn about three primary areas for each open source license: license requirements, license grants, and warranty and liability obligations. Consider the potential risks and issues in light of your client's circumstances and use case.

• Open Source License Chart
  Consult this quick reference chart providing an overview of the most common open source licenses and highlights key similarities and differences among each license type. Understand copyleft licenses, also referred to as reciprocal licenses, which are generally more restrictive and require code derived from the original to be licensed under the same license terms. Review permissive licenses that allow for more freedom in use and distribution and generally have fewer license restrictions.

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