---
layout: page
title: Open [-Source-] {+Knowledge+} Definition {+1.0+}
---

[-#-]

{+Terminology +}
{+-----------+}

The [-Open Source Definition-]
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[-## Introduction-]
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[-Open source doesn't just mean access-] {+term **knowledge** is taken to include:+}
{++}
{+1.  Content such as music, films, books+}
{+2.  Data be it scientific, historical, geographic or otherwise+}
{+3.  Government and other administrative information+}
{++}
{+Software is excluded despite its obvious centrality because it is+}
{+already adequately addressed by previous work.+}
{++}
{+The term **work** will be used+} to {+denote+} the [-source code.-] {+item of knowledge at issue.+}

The [-distribution terms-] {+term **package** may also be used to denote a collection+} of [-open-source software must comply with-] {+works.+}
{+Of course such a package may be considered a work in itself.+}
{++}
{+The term **license** refers to the legal license under which the work is+}
{+made available. Where no license has been made this should be+}
{+interpreted as referring to the resulting default legal conditions under+}
{+which the work is available.+}
{++}
{+The Definition +}
{+--------------+}
{++}
{+A work is open if its manner of distribution satisfies+} the following [-criteria:-]
{+conditions:+}

### 1. [-Free-] {+Access +}
{++}
{+The work shall be available as a whole and at no more than a reasonable+}
{+reproduction cost, preferably downloading via the Internet without+}
{+charge. The work must also be available in a convenient and modifiable+}
{+form.+}
{++}
{+### 2.+} Redistribution 

The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the [-software-]
{+work either on its own or+} as [-a component-] {+part+} of [-an aggregate software distribution containing programs-] {+a package made+} from [-several-] {+works from many+}
different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee
for such [-sale.-]
[--]
[-### 2. Source Code-]
[--]
[-The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form. Where some form of a product is not distributed with source code, there must be a well-publicized means of obtaining the source code for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost preferably, downloading via the Internet without charge. The source code must be the preferred form in which a programmer would modify the program. Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms such as the output of a preprocessor-] {+sale+} or [-translator are not allowed.-] {+distribution.+}

### 3. [-Derived Works-] {+Reuse+} 

The license must allow {+for+} modifications and [-derived works,-] {+derivative works+} and must
allow them to be distributed under the [-same-] terms [-as the license-] of the original [-software.-] {+work. The+}
{+license may impose some form of attribution and integrity requirements:+}
{+see principle 5 (Attribution) and principle 6 (Integrity) below.+}

### 4. [-Integrity-] {+Absence+} of {+Technological Restriction+} 

The [-Author's Source Code-]
[--]
[-The license may restrict source-code from being distributed-] {+work must be provided+} in [-modified-] {+such a+} form [-*only* if the license allows-] {+that there are no technological+}
{+obstacles to+} the [-distribution-] {+performance+} of [-"patch files" with-] the [-source code for-] {+above activities. This can be+}
{+achieved by+} the [-purpose-] {+provision+} of [-modifying-] the [-program at build time.-] {+work in an open data format, i.e. one+}
{+whose specification is publicly and freely available and which places no+}
{+restrictions monetary or otherwise upon its use.+}
{++}
{+### 5. Attribution+} 

The license {+may require as a condition for redistribution and re-use the+}
{+attribution of the contributors and creators to the work. If this+}
{+condition is imposed it+} must [-explicitly permit distribution-] {+not be onerous. For example if attribution+}
{+is required a list+} of [-software built from modified source code.-] {+those requiring attribution should accompany the+}
{+work.+}
{++}
{+### 6. Integrity+} 

The license may require [-derived works to-] {+as a condition for the work being distributed in+}
{+modified form that the resulting work+} carry a different name or version
number from the original [-software.-] {+work.+}

### [-5.-] {+7.+} No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups 

The license must not discriminate against any person or group of
persons.

### [-6.-] {+8.+} No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor 

The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the [-program-] {+work+} in a
specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the [-program-] {+work+}
from being used in a business, or from being used for [-genetic-] {+military+} research.

### [-7.-] {+9.+} Distribution of License 

The rights attached to the [-program-] {+work+} must apply to all to whom the [-program-] {+work+} is
redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by
those parties.

### [-8.-] {+10.+} License Must Not Be Specific to a [-Product-] {+Package+} 

The rights attached to the [-program-] {+work+} must not depend on the [-program's-] {+work+} being part
of a particular [-software distribution.-] {+package.+} If the [-program-] {+work+} is extracted from that [-distribution-] {+package+} and
used or distributed within the terms of the [-program's-] {+work's+} license, all parties
to whom the [-program-] {+work+} is redistributed should have the same rights as those
that are granted in conjunction with the original [-software distribution.-] {+package.+}

### [-9.-] {+11.+} License Must Not Restrict {+the Distribution of+} Other [-Software-] {+Works+} 

The license must not place restrictions on other [-software-] {+works+} that [-is-] {+are+}
distributed along with the licensed [-software.-] {+work.+} For example, the license must
not insist that all other [-programs-] {+works+} distributed on the same medium [-must be open-source software.-]
[--]
[-### 10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral-]
[--]
[-No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface.-]
[--]
[-*Last modified, 2007-03-22*-]
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[-___-]
[--]
[-*Copy of <https://opensource.org/docs/osd> licensed under <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>.*-] {+are open.+}