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Three Open-Source License Models

publish date: 2026/06/13 03:24:43.807101 UTC

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Most open-source licenses are variants of one of three general models. Match each license to its key condition.

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  2. Click on the match in the second group

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License

GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL)
GNU General Public License (GPL)
Berkeley Standard Distribution (BSD) License

Key Condition

A reciprocal license: if you use open-source software licensed under this, you must make your own software open source too
A variant of the GPL: you can write components that link to open-source code without having to publish those components as open source - however, if you change the licensed component itself, you must publish the changes as open source
A non-reciprocal license: you are not obliged to re-publish any changes or modifications; you can include the code in proprietary systems that are sold; you must acknowledge the original creator of the code

Correct Answer

(1) GNU General Public License (GPL),A reciprocal license: if you use open-source software licensed under this, you must make your own software open source too
(2) GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL),A variant of the GPL: you can write components that link to open-source code without having to publish those components as open source - however, if you change the licensed component itself, you must publish the changes as open source
(3) Berkeley Standard Distribution (BSD) License,A non-reciprocal license: you are not obliged to re-publish any changes or modifications; you can include the code in proprietary systems that are sold; you must acknowledge the original creator of the code

Explanation

The three license models: GPL - reciprocal (copyleft), requires derivative works to also be open source; LGPL - a middle ground, allows linking without open-sourcing your code, but changes to the licensed component must be published; BSD (and MIT, a variant) - non-reciprocal, allows use in proprietary systems, requires only attribution. The MIT license is a variant of BSD with similar conditions.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

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