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| Author | IBM |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 1.0 |
| Publisher | IBM |
| Published | August 1999; 26 years ago (1999-08) |
| SPDX identifier | IPL-1.0 |
| Debian FSG compatible | Yes[1] |
| FSFapproved | Yes[2] |
| OSIapproved | Yes |
| GPL compatible | No[2] |
| Copyleft | Yes |
| Linking from code with a different licence | Yes |
TheIBM Public License (IPL) is afreeopen-source software license written and occasionally used byIBM. It is approved by theFree Software Foundation (FSF) and described as an "open-source license" by theOpen Source Initiative.[3]
The IPL differs from theGNU General Public License (GPL), in that it places the liability on thepublisher ordistributor of the licensed software code. The reason behind this is to facilitate the commercial use of open-source software, without placing the contributor at risk of liability.[4]
The IPL isincompatible with the GPL because it contains restrictions not included in the GPL, specifically achoice of law clause stating the license is to be interpreted under thelaws of the State of New York andUnited States intellectual property law. According to the FSF, "This is a free software license. Unfortunately, it has a choice of law clause which makes it incompatible with the GNU GPL."[2]
The IPL differs from the GPL in the handling ofpatents, as IPLterminates the license upon patent disputes.
Examples of software projects licensed under the IPL includePostfix,OpenAFS, and the now-unmaintainedJikes compiler forJava.
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