Open Source Licensing: Software Freedom and Intellectual Property Law

What Is a License?

I've used the word license quite loosely in the preceding chapters, waiting for an opportune time to explain that word from a legal perspective. In one sense, a license is a permission to do something. The government issues licenses, such as a license to drive a vehicle on the public right of way or a license to run a business, pursuant to laws regulating such activities. The government tells you that you may not drive a car or engage in business without an appropriate license. You are required to obey the traffic laws and the laws regulating businesses, although the license you bought has nothing to do with those obligations. If you exceed the speed limit or if you engage in a fraudulent business practice, you can be penalized ...