What does using a project that has the “reciprocal

问题:

So I found an open source project that uses the reciprocal public license 1.5 (RPL). It seems that the RPL means that you must post all of your code back out to the community.

RPL 1.5 - Paragraph 5
Further, under the RPL all components you author including schemas, scripts, source code, etc. -- regardless of whether they're compiled into a single binary or used as two halves of client/server application -- must be shared. You have to share the whole pie, not an isolated slice of it.

I work for a health care company that is not going to be ok with me posting our proprietary code out on the internet.

So I am wondering, is that really what the RPL does? Is there limitations on what needs to be published? Or is it really just any thing that touches the RPLed project must also go open source under the RPL?

回答1:

For a commercial software RPL is even worse than GPL.

It is true that you have to publish your source code on any derivative work.

Also in GNU web site it says:

The Reciprocal Public License is a non-free license because of three problems. 1. It puts limits on prices charged for an initial copy. 2. It requires notification of the original developer for publication of a modified version. 3. It requires publication of any modified version that an organization uses, even privately.

source

Edit

Quatation from RPL 1.5:

6.0 Your Obligations And Grants. In consideration of, and as an express condition to, the licenses granted to You under this License You hereby agree that any Modifications, Derivative Works, or Required Components (collectively Extensions) that You create or to which You contribute are governed by the terms of this License including, without limitation, Section 4. Any Extensions that You create or to which You contribute must be Deployed under the terms of this License or a future version of this License released under Section 7. You hereby grant to Licensor and all third parties a world-wide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license under those intellectual property rights You own or control to use, reproduce, display, perform, modify, create derivatives, sublicense, and distribute Licensed Software, in any form. Any Extensions You make and Deploy must have a distinct title so as to readily tell any subsequent user or Contributor that the Extensions are by You. You must include a copy of this License or directions on how to obtain a copy with every copy of the Extensions You distribute. You agree not to offer or impose any terms on any Source Code or executable version of the Licensed Software, or its Extensions that alter or restrict the applicable version of this License or the recipients' rights hereunder.

回答2:

Reciprocal Public License is more stricter than of GPLv2. It requires the distribution of all the source code (Whether the proprietary or Open Source), which linked, based out of RPL. Be careful in terms of protecting own IP.