[ Thanks to Esther Schindler for this link. ]
“One great benefit of using Linux, Apache, and other open source software is that you can modify the code to make it perfect for your business. But open source licensing restricts how you distribute the modifications. Here’s what a CIO needs to know about open source licenses.
“Most open source software licenses have two provisions in common:
“No limits on personal use, unmodified redistribution, or internal re-use. You can use the software as-is on your own, redistribute it, or modify it from source for your own use. This makes most every open source application immediately useful as an in-house productivity booster: you don’t pay anything to use it, no matter how many seats you deploy it on. And as long as you restrict the software to in-house use, you can modify it freely and keep the modifications confidential.
“No warranty. You use the software entirely at your own risk. This is not always a comforting thing to hear, which is why any major open source software deployment should be cared for by a consultant or a full-timer to ensure it works.”