010-100 · Question #38
Which one of the following is true about Open Source software?
The correct answer is B. Open Source software is available for commercial use. Open Source software, as defined by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), explicitly permits commercial use and redistribution.
Question
Which one of the following is true about Open Source software?
Options
- AOpen Source softwarecannotbe copied for free.
- BOpen Source software is available for commercial use.
- CThe freedom to redistribute copies must include binary or executable forms of the software but not
- DOpen Source software is not for sale.
How the community answered
(27 responses)- A7% (2)
- B74% (20)
- C4% (1)
- D15% (4)
Why each option
Open Source software, as defined by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), explicitly permits commercial use and redistribution.
Open source software can be freely copied and distributed - free redistribution is one of the core requirements of the Open Source Definition.
The Open Source Definition (OSD) maintained by the OSI requires that open source licenses must not restrict anyone from selling or giving away the software as part of a commercial product. This means open source software is fully available for commercial use, whether free of charge or sold. Restriction of commercial use would disqualify a license from being considered truly open source under the OSD.
The Open Source Definition requires that redistribution must include source code (or a means to obtain it), not merely binaries or executables - so this statement inverts the actual requirement.
Open source software is not prohibited from being sold - vendors may charge for packaging, support, or distribution of open source software.
Concept tested: Open Source Definition and commercial use rights
Source: https://opensource.org/osd
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