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licensingjsoupxstreambsd

What do I have to put in a software that uses open source libraries

I've been studying java for the past couple months and I made a simple program that uses those Libraries:

Now, my question is, do I just make a License button in my program and paste there the MIT and BSD license (from the links above). Also, do I need to license my program?

In the future, I would like to release the program with ads as a closed source program. Will it be a problem?

Thanks.

Solution

  • Also, do I need to license my program?

    You don't need - but better do! If you don't use a existing one (GPL, BSD, Apache, ...) make sure you know how to write a license!!

    make a License button in my program and paste there the MIT and BSD license (from the links above).

    This is one way, you can also place the license into separate files (personal recommendation). Eg. create a license folder with a file for each library and it's license inside (or something else to make clear what license belongs to what lib).

    In general you should make the licenses visible without the need to start your program!

    Examples:

    Create files for each license 

    <app root>
 |
 +- licenses
 |     |
 |     +- jsoup.txt <-- jsoup's license
 |     |
 |     +- xtream.txt <-- xtream license
 |     
...

    Create a single file for all licenses

    3RD-PARTIES.txt

    3rd Parties
-----------

---------------------------------------------------------

This software uses '<name1>' - <description1> <version1> <year1>

<license1>

---------------------------------------------------------

This software uses '<name2>' - <description2> <version2> <year2>

<license2>

---------------------------------------------------------

    In the future, I would like to release the program with ads as a closed source program. Will it be a problem?

    From the view of BSD / MIT this shouldn't be a problem.

    Documentation: