Licensing Hell
So I’ve got this C++ Unit Testing Framework (which, due to naming clashes with everything under the sun I may end up having to call “Mikey’s C++ Unit Testing Framework” or “MFCUTF” for short.)
I was about to post this thing on google code when I got to the “select a license” section. Now the whole field of open source licensing is one of the most contemptible garbage heaps of legalese every to have been created by the godless manufactured profession that is contract law.
So go here and see what I mean: http://opensource.org/licenses/category
I have to pick one of these… or create my own, which is right out.
Frankly I want my license to consist largely of “Use it, but don’t be an asshole about it.”
Which unfortunately doesn’t seem to be an option.
Tags: Programming
July 19th, 2009 at 10:56 am
If there was a “use it, but don’t be an asshole about it” license available, I’d be much freer about loaning tools to my neighbors.
When I can’t figure out how to license a work, I end up going with a very restrictive one and putting in a disclaimer that interested parties can contact me to negotiate other rights. Which, like gun laws, is honored mostly by those who wouldn’t have caused a problem anyway =\