Python Software Foundation License
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| Python Software Foundation License | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Python Software Foundation License |
| Author | Python Software Foundation |
| Date | 2000s |
| Version | Multiple |
Python Software Foundation License
The Python Software Foundation License is a permissive free software license linked to Python (programming language), the Python Software Foundation, and the distribution of CPython and related artifacts. It governs redistribution, modification, and attribution for source code used by projects associated with Guido van Rossum, PSF initiatives, and contributors from communities such as NumPy, Django (web framework), and SciPy. The license interacts with legal frameworks exemplified by cases involving organizations like Free Software Foundation, Open Source Initiative, and institutions such as Software Freedom Law Center.
Overview
The license text derives from permissive templates similar to the MIT License, BSD licenses, and historical permissive instruments used by X Consortium and University of California, Berkeley distributions. It defines rights for recipients, contributors, and redistributors within ecosystems populated by projects like Flask (web framework), Pandas (software), and Jupyter Notebook, while aligning with governance practiced by the Python Software Foundation board and working groups including the Python Steering Council and contributor teams from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Red Hat.
Terms and Conditions
Typical clauses include permission to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, and sublicense, accompanied by a warranty disclaimer and limitation of liability similar to provisions in the MIT License and the 2-clause BSD license. The attribution clause often requires preservation of notices referencing organizations like the Python Software Foundation and authors such as Guido van Rossum or contributors affiliated with academic institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley. Redistribution provisions intersect with practices used by foundations such as the Apache Software Foundation and legal counsel from entities like the Software Freedom Conservancy when applied to commercial distributions by firms like Amazon (company), IBM, and Intel.
Versions and History
The license evolved alongside major releases of Python (programming language), from early community-driven distributions influenced by academic licenses at CNRI and corporate stewardship at organizations such as BeOpen Python Labs. Changes often reflect compatibility decisions influenced by precedent cases in United States copyright law and policy guidance from standards bodies like the Open Source Initiative. Milestones include adaptation during transitions referenced in release notes for versions such as Python 2.0 and Python 3.0, with stewardship by the Python Software Foundation and input from contributors affiliated with projects like PyPy and Stack Overflow.
Compatibility and Use
Because of its permissive nature, the license is compatible with many other licenses including the MIT License, the BSD licenses, and permissive variations approved by the Open Source Initiative. Its terms facilitate inclusion of code in large-scale distributions maintained by organizations like Debian, Fedora Project, and Ubuntu (operating system), as well as incorporation into proprietary products produced by companies such as Apple Inc., Microsoft, and Google. Compatibility assessments often reference guidance from the Free Software Foundation and precedent from legal entities including the Software Freedom Law Center when combining code with copyleft licenses like the GNU General Public License.
Adoption and Notable Projects
Key projects that ship under or have historically used the license include CPython, tools and libraries maintained by the Python Software Foundation community such as pip (software), setuptools, and community-driven packages widely used in scientific computing like NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib (software). Major platform vendors and cloud providers including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure distribute Python runtimes and developer tooling under compatible terms, while academic adopters such as MIT and Stanford University use the license for course materials and research software.
Legal and Licensing Considerations
Legal counsel often examines the license in contexts involving organisations like the Software Freedom Conservancy, Free Software Foundation, and corporate legal teams at Oracle Corporation and IBM when assessing redistribution, patent considerations, and trademark use of names like Python (programming language). Questions of jurisdiction and enforceability reference statutes and case law in jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union member states, and are informed by precedent from litigation involving software licenses and organizations like the Open Source Initiative. When integrating code with copylefted components such as those under the GNU General Public License, projects consult guidance from entities including the Free Software Foundation and legal advisers at institutions like the Software Freedom Law Center.