ThePython License is a deprecatedpermissive computersoftware license created by theCorporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI). It was used for versions 1.6 and 2.0 of thePython programming language, both released in the year 2000.

The Python License is similar to theBSD License and, while it is afree software license, its wording in some versions meant that it wasincompatible with theGNU General Public License (GPL) used by a great deal of free software including theLinux kernel. For this reason CNRI retired the license in 2001, and the license of current releases is thePython Software Foundation License.^[3]

Python was created byGuido van Rossum and the initial copyright was held by his employer, theCentrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI). During this time Python was distributed under a GPL-compatible variant of theHistorical Permission Notice and Disclaimer license.^[4] CNRI obtained ownership of Python when Van Rossum became employed there, and after some years they drafted a new license for the language.

The Python License includes a clause stating that the license is governed by the State ofVirginia, United States. ThePython Software Foundation License; Python 1.6.1 differs from Python 1.6 only in some minor bug fixes and new GPL-compatible licensing terms.^{[citation needed]}

• Python (programming language)
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