Python License
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Reason the license was written: Python was created by Guido van Rossum, however he does not own the code. The initial copyright was by Stichting Mathtematisch Centrum. The Corporation for National Research Initiatives got ownership of Python when Guido can Rossum got a position there. CNRI wrote this license agreement because they are the current owners of Python 1.6b1. The CNRI Python License is similar to the Berkeley Software Distribution License. The BSD License is the most widely used for free software. It is not still in its original form but the style is still replicated. The purpose of the license is to give people access to Python and the ability to utilize it to its full capacity. Whether the user needs to analyze, test, or display publicly. It is clearly stated that “CNRI hereby grants Licensee a non-exclusive, royalty-free, world-wide license…” CNRI is contributing to the open source movement by upholding similar principles as the previous owners of Python.
Compatibility with GPL: Python is not compatible with the General Public License even though it is under a free software license. The later versions of Python were made to be compatible with GPL. CNRI and the FSF worked together to make modifications. Python 1.6.1 is really not that different from Python 1.6, with the exceptions of some minor bug fixes. The name of the new GPL-compatible license is Python Software Foundation License. The Python License (CNRI Python License) is not compatible to GPL because it does not have a choice of law clause. This clause dictates which law can potentially be applied to deal with future dispute when the contract.
Derivative Works: The license agreement states that all derivative works of Python 1.6 must keep CNRI’s License Agreement with the software.
Covered Works: The agreement does not explicitly mention source code. However if someone created a derivative work in which they wanted to make public then they most indicate modification make to Python 1.6.
Charging money for the programs under the license: The CNRI License Agreement does not mention any restrictions on charging or fees for the software.
Including a copy of the license: According to the license, distributed copies must have the CNRI’s License Agreement. It does not clearly state verbatim however it utilizes the specific license name which suggests the same thing.
Adding to the license: The license does not prohibit additional requirements or restriction but all derivate or distributed work are all under the same license which states that the software is “royalty-free”.
Distribution under the license: This license explicitly states that Python 1.6 is royalty-free however it does not mention future patents.
Later Versions: This license agreement only covers a particular version of Python. However, later versions of Python are under a new agreement
Other Relevant Aspects: The lack of a choice of law clause is really what makes the Cori’s License Agreement different from other licenses like the GPL. However this license only lasted for a short period of time because it was made GPL-compliant.
Reviewed by: Lauren V. Walters, Carnegie Mellon University