UPDATE: During the eDelivery OMB meeting of June, it was decided to update to EUPL 1.2 that was recently released instead of MPL 2.0, as it solves all the issues and fits the requirements.
Background
During the eDelivery OMB of 27th April 2017, the question of software license applied to the sample software of eDelivery was discussed (see supporting document in the Documents table below). The current EUPL 1.1 license applied to Domibus, SMP and SML may hinder the take up of the sample software because of the viral effect of its strong copyleft (see table below). Therefore, it has been proposed to migrate to the MPL 2.0 license.
Current status related to software licenses used by the sample software of eDelivery:
| Sample software | Current license | Proposed license for future versions |
|---|---|---|
| Domibus | EUPL 1.1 | MPL 2.0 |
| SMP | MPL 1.1/EUPL 1.1 | MPL 2.0 |
| SML | EUPL 1.1 | MPL 2.0 |
| Dynamic discovery client | LGPL 2.1 | MPL 2.0 |
Before taking a final decision on the future license, the OMB of eDelivery would like to receive further inputs from third parties. The final decision is expected to be taken during the eDelivery OMB of the .
Rationale behind the proposal for MPL 2.0
This is a summary of the pros/cons of the adoption of MPL 2.0 for the sample software:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Allow private companies to integrate and distribute the sample software of CEF eDelivery without the need of publishing their existing source code as long as they don't modify the source code of the sample software | The advantage of EUPL 1.1 is that it ensures conformance to the existing copyright laws of each of the 28 Member States of the European Union |
| As MPL 2.0 license is a weak copyleft license, it supports the Proprietary plugin/Application model. It allows third parties to develop complementary source code and distribute the binaries without the need to open the added source code. More specifically for Domibus, this will allow companies to develop plugins without being forced to distribute the source code under the EUPL 1.1 or compatible license. | |
| Removes the current contradiction in the dual licensing of the sample software of the SMP, being both licensed under MPL 1.1 and EUPL 1.1, which is legally not permitted | |
| Propagate the Open Source model and ensure that no modification on the sample software are applied. Reduced risk of endangering interoperability as MPL ensures no "fork development" of the core and consequently still enables interoperability among eDelivery solutions being based whether on open or closed source code. | |
| Harmonise the licenses and enforce a common strategy for CEF eDelivery sample software |
How to provide your feedback
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Documents
| File | Creator | Created | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
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