Software license like this?
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:17 pm
Being a fan of open source, I have strongly considered releasing my application as such, plus it would assist in marketing efforts and testing...
And separate me that much more from my competition, which I need as a startup...
Heres my biggets grief with OSS...
Everyone wants something for nothing, myself included, but that just can't be...it's simple economics...
But so many people use OSS as the "free" alternative.
I am afraid that by releasing my app as OSS, it will be used, but people won't pay!!!
At the same time, I would like to release my software as open source, free for personal use, but NOT commercial, because there is somehting that really bugs me about people who make money from my ideas, etc and don't return the profits...
The way I see it...I make money using your software by catching a client who needs sugarCRM or something similiar (which is OSS) I should be obligated to give you what you ask in return.
The problem with sugarCRM and others is they offer 2 versions:
1) Standard open source edition
2) Professional closed source edition - which you pay for!!!
I don't currently offer a professional edition or two versions...I only have one...
So that license idea of marketing with free and making money off the pro doesn't apply to me...
So I would prefer a license where I allow people to use it for free in non-commercial settings or require $99 USD if they wish to use it commercially...
Does this sound fare? Is this something that is common in the OS community? I haven't seen a license like this...is there one? Do you think it would work or would the community (developers/designers in particular) ignore that request?
Cheers
And separate me that much more from my competition, which I need as a startup...
Heres my biggets grief with OSS...
Everyone wants something for nothing, myself included, but that just can't be...it's simple economics...
But so many people use OSS as the "free" alternative.
I am afraid that by releasing my app as OSS, it will be used, but people won't pay!!!
At the same time, I would like to release my software as open source, free for personal use, but NOT commercial, because there is somehting that really bugs me about people who make money from my ideas, etc and don't return the profits...
The way I see it...I make money using your software by catching a client who needs sugarCRM or something similiar (which is OSS) I should be obligated to give you what you ask in return.
The problem with sugarCRM and others is they offer 2 versions:
1) Standard open source edition
2) Professional closed source edition - which you pay for!!!
I don't currently offer a professional edition or two versions...I only have one...
So that license idea of marketing with free and making money off the pro doesn't apply to me...
So I would prefer a license where I allow people to use it for free in non-commercial settings or require $99 USD if they wish to use it commercially...
Does this sound fare? Is this something that is common in the OS community? I haven't seen a license like this...is there one? Do you think it would work or would the community (developers/designers in particular) ignore that request?
Cheers