Shared source

Shared source is a type of licensing program that allows controlled access to full or limited amounts of product source code. It is not a particular license, as there are several different shared source programs, each with their own license and varying restrictions.

Related Topics:
Licensing - Source code

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The term is typically used to refer to Microsoft's Shared Source Initiative, though the use as a generic licensing term is growing more widespread. Shared source licensing is also used by other projects and companies, such as Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems.

Related Topics:
Microsoft - Hewlett-Packard - Sun Microsystems

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Though shared source licensing allows for source code access, it is not open source according to the Open Source Definition, because none of the license programs allows for commercial use of modified code. Most programs restrict code access to particular groups, institutions, or partners. Some programs, such as the Shared Source Common Language Infrastructure, allow non-commercial modification and redistribution of code by any users. However, Enterprise Source Licensing allows only government institutions to view (but not modify or redistribute) the code.

Related Topics:
Open source - Open Source Definition - Shared Source Common Language Infrastructure - Enterprise Source Licensing

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