Beerware
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beerware is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek term for software released under a very relaxed license. It provides the end user with the right to use a particular program (or do anything else with the source code) if they buy the author a beer, or, in some variations, drink a beer in the author's honor. The term was invented by John Bristor in Pensacola, Florida on April 25, 1987,[citation needed] and the first software distributed using the Beerware licensing model was uploaded to a number of BBSs in 1987 and 1988.[citation needed] Many variations on the beerware model have been created since that time.
Poul-Henning Kamp's beerware license is simple and short, in contrast to the GPL which he has described as "a joke".[1] The full text of Kamp's license is:[1]
/* * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- * "THE BEER-WARE LICENSE" (Revision 42): * <phk@FreeBSD.ORG> wrote this file. As long as you retain this notice you * can do whatever you want with this stuff. If we meet some day, and you think * this stuff is worth it, you can buy me a beer in return Poul-Henning Kamp * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Kamp, Poul-Henning (2004-10-24). Poul-Henning Kamp. Retrieved on 2006-04-24.
[edit] See also
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