We’ve seen how free and open source software not only came onto the scene but became an essential part of the computing landscape. Not just cheaper than proprietary software but a model that encourages the creation of software ecosystems and new innovations.
However, in the process of telling this story, I’ve moved quickly past some details. Are the oft-conflated “free” and “open source” one and the same, or do they capture an important distinction? What do you need to know about the legal basis for this type of software without getting too deeply into law, licenses, and ...
