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authorDrew DeVault <sir@cmpwn.com>2023-05-17 12:46:41 +0200
committerDrew DeVault <sir@cmpwn.com>2023-05-17 12:46:41 +0200
commit8f4327b23ae914079310384a0870e904323586e9 (patch)
tree9dff1ac69fd82632d16107b232109817412dc1ed
parent1710f6dabb6b3a123e7366412ca326ff5a1b4ece (diff)
downloadwritefreesoftware.org-8f4327b23ae914079310384a0870e904323586e9.tar.xz
What is Copyleft: editorial improvements
-rw-r--r--content/learn/copyleft.md29
1 files changed, 16 insertions, 13 deletions
diff --git a/content/learn/copyleft.md b/content/learn/copyleft.md
index b3a85ef..73ded5c 100644
--- a/content/learn/copyleft.md
+++ b/content/learn/copyleft.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ weight: -8
encourage the proliferation of free software and protect free software from
being incorporated into non-free works. This works by giving you not only the
*right* to share your improvements, but the *obligation* to share your
-improvements, under some conditions. It is very important to understand these
+improvements under some conditions. It is very important to understand these
obligations when re-using copyleft software in your own work.
{{< tip >}}
@@ -23,31 +23,32 @@ Open Source movement.
Different free software licenses exist along a spectrum from **permissive** to
**copyleft**, based on the degree to which they emphasize copyleft in their
-license terms. A permissive license will tend to allow generous reuse with
-relatively few and non-onerous obligations, such as simple attribution
-requirements. In contrast, copyleft licenses impose the obligation to share your
-changes and derived works under the same license terms.
+license terms. Permissive licenses tend to allow generous reuse with relatively
+few and non-onerous obligations, such as simple attribution requirements. In
+contrast, copyleft licenses impose the obligation to share your changes and
+derived works under the same license terms.
<img src="/images/licensing-spectrum.svg" alt="various projects and licenses organized along a spectrum" />
<small>
- Various software licenses and projects which use them, organized on the
- copyleft spectrum. Based on graphic by David A Wheeler, CC-BY-SA 3.0.
+ Various software licenses and examples of projects which use them, organized
+ on the copyleft spectrum. Original graphic by David A Wheeler, CC-BY-SA 3.0.
</small>
## Why choose a copyleft license?
It is common for permissively-licensed free software to be incorporated into
-non-free works. This work is often leveraged for profit, denying the four
-freedoms to users who receive the non-free work, and making profitable use of
-the software without giving anything back to the free software community.
+non-free works. This is often done in the name of greater profits by denying the
+four freedoms to users who receive the non-free work, making profitable use
+of the software without giving anything back to the free software community.
-Copyleft licenses answer some of these problems:
+Copyleft licenses address some of these problems:
1. Copyleft promotes the proliferation of free software and the four freedoms by
ensuring that work built on top of free software grows and benefits the free
software ecosystem.
-2. Copyleft ensures that those who improve free software share their changes
- with the community, so that all users can benefit from their improvements.
+2. Copyleft ensures that those who improve or re-use free software share their
+ changes with the community, so that all users can benefit from their
+ improvements.
Copyleft software can be sold, like all other free software, but requiring that
commercial improvements remain free ensures the four freedoms are upheld by all
@@ -101,6 +102,8 @@ library itself. If the software uses the GPL or AGPL, you will be more
constrained in your approach. Read the license terms carefully and consult a
lawyer if you are unsure how to proceed.
+For more details, consult our page on [re-using free software](/learn/participate/derived-works/).
+
{{< tip >}}
The [Software Freedom Conservancy][sfc] is an organization which, among other
activities, pursues legal remedies for copyleft enforcement. To learn more about