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{{Short description|Software license}}
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The '''Python License''' is a computer [[software license]] created by the [[Corporation for National Research Initiatives]] (CNRI). Early versions of the [[Python programming language]] were distributed under the terms of this license. The Python License is similar to the [[BSD License]] and, while it is a [[free software license]], its wording means that it is incompatible with the [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL) used by a great deal of free software including the [[Linux kernel]]. For this reason CNRI retired the license in 2001 in favour of the [[Python Software Foundation License]].
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox software license
| name = Python License
| image =
| caption =
| author = [[Corporation for National Research Initiatives]]
| version = 2.11 and newer
| copyright =
| date =
| OSI approved = Yes
| Debian approved =
| Free Software = Yes<ref name=fsf>{{cite web |url=https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#Python1.6a2 |title=License of Python 1.6a2 and earlier versions |at=List of licenses |publisher=Free Software Foundation}}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#PythonOld |title=License of Python 1.6b1 through 2.0 and 2.1 |at=List of licenses |publisher=Free Software Foundation}}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#Python |title=License of Python 2.0.1, 2.1.1, and newer versions |at=List of licenses |publisher=Free Software Foundation}}</ref>
| GPL compatible = Some versions<ref name=fsf/><ref>[https://docs.python.org/3/license.html History and License] Python</ref>
| copyleft = No
| linking =
}}


The '''Python License''' is a deprecated [[permissive license|permissive]] computer [[software license]] created by the [[Corporation for National Research Initiatives]] (CNRI). It was used for versions 1.6 and 2.0 of the [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]], both released in the year 2000.
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== Origin ==


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The Python License is similar to the [[BSD License]] and, while it is a [[free software license]], its wording in some versions meant that it was [[License compatibility|incompatible]] with the [[GNU General Public License]] (GPL) used by a great deal of free software including the [[Linux kernel]]. For this reason CNRI retired the license in 2001, and the license of current releases is the [[Python Software Foundation License]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.python.org/download/releases/3.3.4/license|title=Python 3.3.4 license|access-date=15 Apr 2014}}</ref>
Python was created by [[Guido van Rossum]] and the initial copyright was held by his employer, the [[National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science]] ([[Netherlands|Dutch]]: Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica or CWI). During this time Python was distributed under a GPL-compatible license.<ref>http://docs.python.org/lib/node951.html</ref> CNRI obtained ownership of Python when van Rossum became employed there, and drafted a new license for the language for redistribution.


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== Origin ==
Versions of Python up to and including Python 1.6 were distributed under the Python License.

Python was created by [[Guido van Rossum]] and the initial copyright was held by his employer, the [[Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica]] (CWI). During this time Python was distributed under a GPL-compatible variant of the [[Historical Permission Notice and Disclaimer]] license.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.python.org/download/releases/2.5/license
|title=Python 2.5 license (with historical notes)
|publisher=Python.org
|access-date=2008-03-31
}}</ref> CNRI obtained ownership of Python when Van Rossum became employed there, and after some years they drafted a new license for the language.


== Retirement ==
== Retirement ==


The Python License includes a clause stating that the license is governed by the State of [[Virginia, United States]], which made it, in the view of the [[Free Software Foundation]]'s (FSF) lawyers, incompatible with the GNU GPL. This limited the usefulness of Python to the free software community as Python could not be used or distributed as part of a combined work with software released under the GPL. For this reason, the FSF worked with CNRI to make modifications. The result was the Python Software Foundation License; Python 1.6.1 differs from Python 1.6 only in some minor bug fixes and the new licensing terms.
The Python License includes a clause stating that the license is governed by the State of [[Virginia, United States]]. The [[Python Software Foundation License]]; Python 1.6.1 differs from Python 1.6 only in some minor bug fixes and new GPL-compatible licensing terms.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}


== References ==
== References ==

{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{FOSS}}
== External Links ==


[[Category:Python programming language]]
[[Category:Python (programming language)]]
[[Category:Open source licenses]]
[[Category:Free and open-source software licenses]]
[[Category:Free software licenses]]
[[Category:Permissive software licenses]]

Latest revision as of 00:18, 16 April 2022

Python License
AuthorCorporation for National Research Initiatives
Latest version2.11 and newer
SPDX identifierPython-2.0, Python-2.0.1
FSF approvedYes[1]
OSI approvedYes
GPL compatibleSome versions[1][2]
CopyleftNo

The Python License is a deprecated permissive computer software license created by the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI). It was used for versions 1.6 and 2.0 of the Python programming language, both released in the year 2000.

The Python License is similar to the BSD License and, while it is a free software license, its wording in some versions meant that it was incompatible with the GNU General Public License (GPL) used by a great deal of free software including the Linux kernel. For this reason CNRI retired the license in 2001, and the license of current releases is the Python Software Foundation License.[3]

Origin[edit]

Python was created by Guido van Rossum and the initial copyright was held by his employer, the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI). During this time Python was distributed under a GPL-compatible variant of the Historical Permission Notice and Disclaimer license.[4] CNRI obtained ownership of Python when Van Rossum became employed there, and after some years they drafted a new license for the language.

Retirement[edit]

The Python License includes a clause stating that the license is governed by the State of Virginia, United States. The Python Software Foundation License; Python 1.6.1 differs from Python 1.6 only in some minor bug fixes and new GPL-compatible licensing terms.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "License of Python 1.6a2 and earlier versions". Free Software Foundation. List of licenses.
    "License of Python 1.6b1 through 2.0 and 2.1". Free Software Foundation. List of licenses.
    "License of Python 2.0.1, 2.1.1, and newer versions". Free Software Foundation. List of licenses.
  2. ^ History and License Python
  3. ^ "Python 3.3.4 license". Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  4. ^ "Python 2.5 license (with historical notes)". Python.org. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
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