licenses

[Thomas 'PointedEars' Lahn]

Ben Finney wrote:

> "Martinez, Jorge Alberto (GE Aviation)" […] writes:
>> We develop applications here with Python and I want to know if there's
>> issues by using. We use NumPy, PyDaqMx, Py Visa
> 
> Those are all free software: meaning, every recipient has freedom to
> execute, modify, and/or redistribute the work.

Correct.

> So long as the code base you derive from them is also free software, you 
> will not need to take special care.

No, not all free software licenses (FSLs) are compatible with each other.  
Most notably, not all FSLs are compatible with the GNU General Public 
License (GPL), which also is a FSL.

Software licenses are distinguished whether they are closed source or open 
source licenses, free or unfree, and enforce copyright or copyleft (the GPL 
are/does the latter, respectively).  Also, patent issues have to be 
considered: Some free software licenses, like the Apache License, include 
stipulations that the grated patent license is void if the licensee sues the 
licenser for patent infringement; other licenses do not.

A quick Google search shows:

- NumPy is licensed under the “BSD-new license”.

  <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NumPy>

- PyDAQmx can be licensed under either

  ,-<https://github.com/clade/PyDAQmx/blob/master/README>
  |
  | (1) The BSD license. 
  | (2) Any other license, as long as it is obtained from the original 
  |     author.

- PyVISA is licensed under “The MIT License” (X11 License)

  <https://github.com/hgrecco/pyvisa/blob/master/LICENSE>

See also:

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_free_and_open-source_software_licenses>
<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-recommendations.html>

IANAL.

-- 
PointedEars

Twitter: @PointedEars2
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