---
layout: page
title: Open [-Source-] Definition {+2.1+}
---

[-#-]

{+Version 2.1+}

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Open_Source_Definition) and is synonymous+} with {+"free" or "libre" as in+} the [-following criteria:-]
[--]
[-### 1.-] {+[Free Software Definition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Free_Software_Definition) and [Definition of+} Free [-Redistribution-] {+Cultural Works](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition_of_Free_Cultural_Works).+}

The [-license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away-] {+term **work** will be used to denote+} the [-software as a component-] {+item or piece+} of [-an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources.-] {+knowledge being transferred.+}

The [-license shall not require a royalty-] {+term **license** refers to the legal conditions under which the work is provided.+}
{++}
{+The term **public domain** denotes the abscence of copyright and similar+}
{+restrictions, whether by default+} or [-other fee for-] {+waiver of all+} such [-sale.-]
[--]
[-### 2. Source Code-] {+conditions.+}

The [-program must include source code,-] {+key words "must", "must not", "should",+} and [-must allow distribution-] {+"may"+}
in [-source code as well-] {+this document are to be interpreted+} as [-compiled form. Where some form of a product is not distributed with source code, there must-] {+described in+}
{+[RFC2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).+}
{++}
{+## 1. Open Works+}
{++}
{+An open **work** *must* satisfy the following requirements in its distribution:+}
{++}
{+### 1.1 Open License or Status+}
{++}
{+The **work** *must*+} be {+in the **public domain** or provided under an open+}
{+**license** (as defined in Section 2).  Any additional terms accompanying+}
{+the work (such as+} a [-well-publicized means-] {+terms+} of [-obtaining-] {+use, or patents held by+} the [-source code for-] {+licensor)+}
{+*must not* contradict the work's public domain status or terms of the license.+}
{++}
{+### 1.2 Access+}
{++}
{+The **work** *must* be provided as a whole and at+} no more than a reasonable 
{+one-time+} reproduction [-cost preferably, downloading-] {+cost, and *should* be 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 Machine Readability+}

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 such as the output of-] {+form readily processable by+} a [-preprocessor or translator are not allowed.-]
[--]
[-### 3. Derived Works-]
[--]
[-The license must allow modifications and derived works,-] {+computer+} and [-must allow them to be distributed under-] {+where+} the [-same terms as the license-] {+individual elements+} of the [-original software.-] {+work can be easily accessed and modified.+}

### [-4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code-] {+1.4 Open Format+}

The [-license may restrict source-code from being distributed-] {+**work** *must* be provided+} in [-modified form *only*-] {+an open format. An open format is+}
{+one which places no restrictions, monetary or otherwise, upon its use and can be fully processed+}
{+with at least one free/libre/open-source software tool.+}
{++}
{+## 2. Open Licenses+}
{++}
{+A **license** *should* be compatible with other open licenses.+}
{++}
{+A **license** is open+} if {+its terms satisfy+} the [-license allows-] {+following conditions:+}
{++}
{+### 2.1 Required Permissions+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* irrevocably permit (or allow)+} the [-distribution-] {+following:+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.1 Use+}
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{+The **license** *must* allow free use+} of [-"patch files" with the source code for-] the [-purpose-] {+licensed work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.2 Redistribution+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow redistribution+} of [-modifying-] the [-program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution-] {+licensed work, +}
{+including sale, whether on its own or as part+} of [-software built-] {+a collection made+} from [-modified source code. The license may require derived-] 
works [-to carry a different name or version number-] from {+different sources.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.3 Modification+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must* allow the creation of derivatives of the licensed +}
{+work and allow the distribution of such derivatives under the same+}
{+terms of+} the original [-software.-]
[--]
[-### 5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups-] {+licensed work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.4 Separation+}

The [-license must not discriminate against-] {+**license** *must* allow+} any [-person or group of persons.-]
[--]
[-### 6. No Discrimination Against Fields-] {+part+} of [-Endeavor-]
[--]
[-The license must not restrict anyone-] {+the work+}
{+to be freely used, distributed, or modified separately+} from [-making use-] {+any other part+} 
of the [-program-] {+work or from any collection of works+} in {+which it was originally +}
{+distributed. All parties who receive any distribution of any part of+}
a [-specific field-] {+work within the terms+} of [-endeavor. For example, it may not restrict-] the [-program from being used-] {+original license *should* have the same rights+}
{+as those that are granted+} in [-a business,-] {+conjunction with the original work.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.5 Compilation+}
{++}
{+The **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 [-from being used for genetic research.-]
[--]
[-### 7. Distribution of License-] {+group.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.7 Propagation+}

The rights attached to the [-program must-] {+work *must*+} apply to all to whom [-the program-] {+it+} is redistributed 
without the need [-for execution of an-] {+to agree to any+} additional [-license by those parties.-]
[--]
[-### 8. License Must Not Be Specific-] {+legal terms.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.8 Application+} to [-a Product-] {+Any Purpose+}

The [-rights attached to the program must not depend on-] {+**license** *must* allow use, redistribution, modification, and +}
{+compilation for any purpose. The license *must not* restrict anyone+}
{+from making use of+} the [-program's being-] {+work in a specific field of endeavor.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.1.9 No Charge+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must not* impose any fee arrangement, royalty, or other+}
{+compensation or monetary remuneration as+} part of [-a particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and used-] {+its conditions.+}
{++}
{+### 2.2 Acceptable Conditions+}
{++}
{+The **license** *must not* limit, make uncertain,+} or [-distributed within-] {+otherwise diminish+} the [-terms-] {+permissions +}
{+required in Section 2.1 except by the following allowable conditions:+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.1 Attribution+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require distributions+} of the [-program's license, all parties-] {+work+} to [-whom the program is redistributed should have the same-] {+include attribution+}
{+of contributors,+} rights {+holders, sponsors, and creators+} as [-those that-] {+long as+}
{+any such prescriptions+} are [-granted in conjunction with-] {+not onerous.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.2 Integrity+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require that modified versions of a licensed work+}
{+carry a different name or version number from+} the original [-software distribution.-]
[--]
[-### 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software-] {+work or +}
{+otherwise indicate what changes have been made. +}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.3 Share-alike+}

The {+**license** *may* require distributions of the work to remain+}
{+under the same+} license [-must not place restrictions on other software-] {+or a similar license.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.4 Notice+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require retention of copyright notices and identification of the license.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.5 Source+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require+} that [-is distributed along-] {+anyone distributing the work provide recipients+} with {+access to+} the [-licensed software. For example,-] {+preferred form for making modifications.+}
{++}
{+#### 2.2.6 Technical Restriction Prohibition+}
{++}
{+The **license** *may* require that distributions of+} the [-license must not insist-] {+work remain free of any technical measures+} that [-all other programs distributed on-] {+would restrict+} 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-] {+allowed right (again, for example, patent litigation).+}
{++}
{+----+}
{+*The Open Definition was initially derived from the Open Source Definition, which in turn was derived from the original Debian Free Software Guidelines, and the Debian Social Contract+} of [-interface.-]
[--]
[-*Last modified, 2007-03-22*-]
[--]
[-___-]
[--]
[-*Copy-] {+which they are a part, which were created by Bruce Perens and the Debian Developers. Bruce later used the same text in creating the Open Source Definition. This definition is substantially derivative+} of [-<https://opensource.org/docs/osd> licensed under <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>.*-] {+those documents and retains their essential principles. Richard Stallman was the first to push the ideals of software freedom which we continue.*+}