Proposed license change to Blot's source code?
Hello, I'm thinking about changing the license of Blot's source code. At the moment, Blot's source code is licensed under CC0, a public domain dedication that allows unrestricted use, modification, and redistribution without attribution or copyleft obligations.
I am considering switching the license to AGPLv3, a copyleft license which requires that anyone who modifies and distributes (or provides network access to) Blot must release their modifications under the same license.
This shift would prevent proprietary use of Blot's code and ensure that any derivative works remain open-source. Obviously this would only apply to new contributions going forward.
Why?
- I'm developing one-click deployable containers to make Blot simple to self-host
- I anticipate there will be other people offering hosting services for Blot, especially in different countries / legal jurisdictions
- I want to ensure these services keep their source code public
Please let me know if you have any objections, thoughts or questions.
I have applied the change, future contributions to the code will be made under the new GPL license.
A good article here about why Plausible chose the GPL license.
Answered a month ago · Edit answerYou should look at SSPL-1.0 , the MonogDB License if you are concerned about services using the source code without making it public. GPL does not provide for interfaces being included, SSPL addresses this.
Specifically section 13, (sic):
AGPL
-13. Remote Network Interaction; Use with the GNU General Public License. -Notwithstanding any other provision of this License, if you modify the Program, your modified version must prominently offer all users interacting with it remotely through a computer network (if your version supports such interaction) an opportunity to receive the Corresponding Source of your version by providing access to the Corresponding Source from a network server at no charge, through some standard or customary means of facilitating copying of software. This Corresponding Source shall include the Corresponding Source for any work covered by version 3 of the GNU General Public License that is incorporated pursuant to the following paragraph.
SSPL
Answered 17 days ago · Edit answer+13. Offering the Program as a Service. +If you make the functionality of the Program or a modified version available to third parties as a service, you must make the Service Source Code available via network download to everyone at no charge, under the terms of this License. Making the functionality of the Program or modified version available to third parties as a service includes, without limitation, enabling third parties to interact with the functionality of the Program or modified version remotely through a computer network, offering a service the value of which entirely or primarily derives from the value of the Program or modified version, or offering a service that accomplishes for users the primary purpose of the Program or modified version.
Newsletter
Get updates on Blot’s latest features and changes. Delivered every three months.