License for GitHub repository?

I'd like to create a GitHub for my own watch code. Anyone can download and modify my code, but not for commercial distribution. I just want the code to remain available only on my site.

I found the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), but I can't select it in the license menu (this license is without modifications).

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DummeStudentin
1 year ago

This license wouldn’t bring you anything. You can only allow the non-commercial transfer of your code, but it does not say anything about compiled programs that use your code. These should also be used commercially as long as the code is not passed on.

I recommend the GPL 3 License. Although it does not directly prohibit the commercial use of your software, it requires that the source code of programs that build on it be made available and that these programs must be released with the same license.

If you do not want to allow the code to be passed on, you should use a “all rights reserved” license. This is equivalent to no license at all, but does not correspond to the open source thoughts.

In a Git repository it is common to use the license in an LICENSE or LICENSE.md file in root directory.

DummeStudentin
1 year ago
Reply to  Timobi

Then use an “All rights reserved” license or just leave it away.

Lezurex
1 year ago

If you don’t find a suitable license, you can also write your own. There are usually a few words. The BSD license consists, for example, of only 3 points.

To do this, you simply create an LICENSE (.md/.txt/or even nix) file in the root and write for example the following:

Use, modification and redistribution of source code and binary form is permitted under the following terms:

- Modifications and binary forms are redistributed under the same conditions.
- und so weiter und so fort, was dir noch einfällt

I would, however, debate my own license because you and I have no really sufficient legal knowledge. If you want to use CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, you can also simply insert the license text there.

However, you would probably be best served with GPL 3.0. Commercial use is allowed, but the source code must still remain open. People are allowed to edit, improve, etc. and also hold forks (so host in their own repository). You can sell it, but honestly…

  1. Who would do that with an Arduino project?
  2. Without real changes to the code, the person will not sell anything anyway, there’s the same thing with you for free.

So yes, I’d guess GPL 3.0.