---
layout: page
title: Open [-Source-] Definition {+2.0+}
---

[-#-]

{+Version 2.0+}

The Open [-Source-] Definition

[-## Introduction-]
[--]
[-Open source doesn't just mean access to-] {+makes precise+} the [-source code. The distribution terms-] {+meaning of "open" with respect to knowledge, promoting a robust commons in which anyone may participate, and interoperability is maximized.+}
{++}
{+**Summary:** *Knowledge is open if anyone is free to access, use, modify, and share it — subject, at most, to measures that preserve provenance and openness.*+}
{++}
{+This essential meaning matches that+} of [-open-source-] {+"open" with respect to+} software [-must comply-] {+as in the [Open Source Definition](https://opensource.org/docs/osd) and is synonymous+} with {+"free" or "libre" as in+} the [-following criteria:-]
[--]
[-### 1.-] {+[Definition of+} Free [-Redistribution-] {+Cultural Works](http://freedomdefined.org).+} The [-license shall not restrict any party-] {+Open Definition was initially derived+} from [-selling or giving away-] the [-software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs-] {+Open Source Definition, which in turn was derived+} from [-several different sources.-] {+the [Debian Free Software Guidelines](http://www.debian.org/social_contract).+}

The [-license shall not require a royalty-] {+term **work** will be used to denote the item+} or [-other fee for such sale.-]
[--]
[-### 2. Source Code-] {+piece of knowledge being transferred.+}

The [-program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form.-] {+term **license** refers to the legal conditions under which the work is+}
{+made available.+} Where [-some form-] {+no license has been offered this should be interpreted+}
{+as referring to default legal conditions governing use+} of [-a product is not distributed with source code, there-] {+the work (for +}
{+example, copyright or public domain).+}
{++}
{+## 1. Open Works+}
{++}
{+An open **work**+} must {+satisfy the following requirements in its distribution:+}
{++}
{+### 1.1 Open License+}
{++}
{+The **work** *must*+} be {+available under an open **license** (as defined in Section 2).+}
{+Any additional terms accompanying the work (such as+} a [-well-publicized means-] {+terms of use, or patents held by the licensor) *must not* +}
{+contradict the terms+} of [-obtaining-] the [-source code for-] {+license.+}
{++}
{+### 1.2 Access+}
{++}
{+The **work** shall be available as a whole and at+} no more than a reasonable 
{+one-time+} reproduction [-cost preferably, downloading-] {+cost, preferably downloadable+} via the Internet without charge.
{+Any additional information necessary for license compliance (such as names of +}
{+contributors required for compliance with attribution requirements) *must* also +}
{+accompany the work.+}
{++}
{+### 1.3 Open Format+}

The [-source code must-] {+**work** *must*+} be [-the preferred form-] {+provided+} in [-which-] a [-programmer would modify the program. Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms-] {+convenient and modifiable form+} such [-as-]
{+that there are no unnecessary technological obstacles to+} the [-output-] {+performance+} of {+the+}
{+licensed rights. Specifically, data should be machine-readable, available in+}
{+bulk, and provided in an open format (i.e., a format with+} a [-preprocessor-] {+freely available+}
{+published specification which places no restrictions, monetary+} or [-translator are not allowed.-] {+otherwise, upon+}
{+its use) or, at the very least, can be processed with at least one free/libre/open-source+}
{+software tool.+}
{++}
{++}
{+## 2. Open Licenses+}
{++}
{+A **license** is open if its terms satisfy the following conditions:+}

### [-3. Derived Works-] {+2.1 Required Permissions+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* irrevocably permit (or allow) the following:+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.1 Use+}

The [-license must-] {+**license** *must*+} allow [-modifications and derived works,-] {+free use of the licensed work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.2 Redistribution+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow redistribution of the licensed work, +}
{+including sale, whether on its own or as part of a collection made from +}
{+works from different sources.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.3 Modification+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow the creation of derivatives of the licensed +}
{+work+} and [-must-] allow [-them to be distributed-] {+the distribution of such derivatives+} under the same
terms [-as the license-] of the original [-software.-]
[--]
[-### 4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code-] {+licensed work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.4 Separation+}

The [-license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form *only* if-] {+**license** *must* allow any part of+} the [-license allows-] {+work+}
{+to be freely used, distributed, or modified separately from any other part +}
{+of+} the {+work or from any collection of works in which it was originally +}
{+distributed. All parties who receive any+} distribution of [-"patch files" with the source code for the purpose-] {+any part+} of [-modifying-]
{+a work within+} the [-program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution-] {+terms+} of [-software built from modified source code. The-] {+the original+} license [-may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from-] {+should have the same rights+}
{+as those that are granted in conjunction with+} the original [-software.-]
[--]
[-### 5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups-] {+work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.5 Compilation+}

The [-license must not-] {+**license** *must* allow the licensed work to be distributed along +}
{+with other distinct works without placing restrictions on these other works.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.6 Non-discrimination+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must not*+} discriminate against any person or [-group of persons.-]
[--]
[-### 6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor-] {+group.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.7 Propagation+}
{++}
{+The rights attached to the work *must* apply to all to whom it is redistributed +}
{+without the need to agree to any additional legal terms.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.8 Application to Any Purpose+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow use, redistribution, modification, and +}
{+compilation for any purpose.+} The license [-must not-] {+*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 from being used in a business,-]

{+#### 2.1.9 No Charge+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must not* impose any fee arrangement, royalty,+} or [-from being used for genetic research.-]
[--]
[-### 7. Distribution-] {+other+}
{+compensation or monetary remuneration as part+} of [-License-] {+its conditions.+}
{++}
{+### 2.2 Acceptable Conditions+}

The [-rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom-] {+**license** shall not limit, make uncertain, or otherwise diminish+} the [-program is redistributed without-] {+permissions +}
{+required in Section 2.1 except by+} the [-need for execution-] {+following allowable conditions:+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.1 Attribution+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require distributions+} of [-an additional license by those parties.-]
[--]
[-### 8. License Must Not Be Specific-] {+the work+} to [-a Product-]
[--]
[-The-] {+include attribution+}
{+of contributors,+} rights [-attached to the program must-] {+holders, sponsors and creators as long as+}
{+any such prescriptions are+} not [-depend on the program's being part-] {+onerous.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.2 Integrity+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require that modified versions+} of a [-particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and used-] {+licensed work+}
{+carry a different name+} or [-distributed within-] {+version number from+} the [-terms-] {+original work or +}
{+otherwise indicate what changes have been made. +}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.3 Share-alike+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require copies or derivatives+} of [-the program's license, all parties-] {+a licensed work+} to [-whom the program is redistributed should have-] {+remain+}
{+under a license+} the same [-rights-] as [-those that are granted in conjunction with-] {+or similar to+} the [-original software distribution.-]
[--]
[-### 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software-] {+original.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.4 Notice+}

The [-license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with-] {+**license** *may* require retention of copyright notices and identification of+} the [-licensed software. For example,-] {+license.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.5 Source+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require modified works to be made available in a form preferred for further modification.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.6 Technical Restriction Prohibition+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* prohibit distribution of+} the [-license must not insist that all other programs distributed-] {+work in a manner where technical measures impose restrictions+} on the [-same medium must be open-source software.-]
[--]
[-### 10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral-]
[--]
[-No provision-] {+exercise+} of {+otherwise allowed rights.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.7 Non-aggression+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require modifiers to grant+} the {+public additional permissions (for example, patent licenses) as required for exercise of the rights allowed by the license. The+} license may [-be predicated-] {+also condition permissions+} on {+not aggressing against licensees with respect to exercising+} 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/>.*-] {+allowed right (again, for example, patent litigation).+}