The reference for licenses that say who, not just how
Where does your project sit?
Open source is one corner of a much bigger map. Here's the rest of it — read left to right for who may use it, bottom to top for how soon it opens up.
↑ opens up sooner
open source
delayed open
restricted
propr.
already open
opens on a date
never opens
MIT License
Apache License 2.0
GNU General Public License v3.0
Business Source License 1.1
Functional Source License 1.1 (MIT Future License)
Elastic License 2.0
PolyForm Small Business License 1.0.0
Prosperity Public License 3.0.0
anyone may use itwho may use it →almost nobody
Grid lines are guidance, not data: the four bands name the territory, the three rows say already open · opens on a date · never opens. A dot's exact position is an argument, not a measurement.
Three places to start
01
Business Source License 1.1
Free except for competing use; converts to an open license on a fixed date.
02
Functional Source License 1.1 (MIT Future License)
Free except for competing use; auto-converts to MIT after two years, no arbitrary Change Date.
03
Elastic License 2.0
Free except for hosting it as a service for others; terms never change.
Want the full list, filterable by rule? See the appendix.