Re: Definition of terms

[Richard Schilling]

Since licensing is a legal construct, I tend to think in terms of how my 
attorney and a judge would define that list in a given scenario.  There 
are standard definitions for some of these terms in the legal 
profession, obviously.  So you might start with your attorney.

I think it was mentioned by Joseph that lawyers tend to complicate 
things such as this, but I suggest the opposite - that trying to define 
them as laypeople tends to "muddle the water."   A good lawyer would 
help give you the most uncomplicated definition to these terms as they 
might normally be used.

Richard Schilling

Don Grodecki wrote:
I am having arguments with my colleagues regarding some of the terms used 
with respect to FOSS. Can anyone help me to understand what some of these 
terms really mean?

Open
Open Source Software
Software in the Public Domain
Software licensed to the Public Domain
Ownership
Copyright
License for Use
License for Derivation
License for Re-Distribution
If you respond and are a lawyer, please say so, so that we can give extra 
weight to your response!

- Don