Legal Definitions - open source

The term "open source" refers to software whose underlying programming code is made publicly available. This means that anyone can view, inspect, modify, and distribute the software, typically under specific licensing terms that ensure its continued accessibility and modifiability by the community.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of open source:

• Example 1: Customizing an Operating System

  Imagine a technology company that develops specialized hardware for scientific research. They need an operating system that can be deeply integrated with their unique devices and optimized for very specific computational tasks. Instead of purchasing a proprietary operating system, they choose to use a version of Linux, which is open source.

  How this illustrates "open source": Because Linux is open source, the company's engineers can access its entire codebase. They can then modify the operating system's core components, remove unnecessary features, add custom drivers for their hardware, and fine-tune its performance to meet their exact requirements. This level of customization would be impossible with closed-source software, where the underlying code is kept secret and cannot be altered by users.

• Example 2: Community-Driven Web Browser Development

  Consider a group of independent developers who are passionate about internet privacy and want to create a web browser with advanced privacy-protecting features that go beyond what mainstream browsers offer. They decide to base their project on an existing open-source web browser like Mozilla Firefox.

  How this illustrates "open source": Since Firefox's source code is publicly available, these developers can download it, study how it works, and integrate their new privacy tools directly into the browser's core functionality. They can also share their modifications with the broader Firefox community, allowing others to review, improve, and use their enhancements. This collaborative environment, where many individuals and groups can contribute to and improve the software, is a key characteristic of open source.

• Example 3: Building a Website for a Non-Profit Organization

  A small non-profit organization needs to build a website to manage volunteers, accept donations, and publish news updates, but they have a very limited budget for software licenses. They decide to use WordPress, a popular Content Management System (CMS).

  How this illustrates "open source": WordPress is open source, meaning the organization can download and install it for free without paying any licensing fees. If they need a specific feature not already available, they can hire a developer to write custom code or even find a free "plugin" developed by another community member. The transparency of the code also means they can understand how their website's backend works, and a large community of developers constantly contributes to its security and functionality, providing updates and support that benefit all users.