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GPLv2 VS Simplified BSD License

Compare GPLv2 VS Simplified BSD License and see what are their differences

GPLv2 logo GPLv2

Created for the GNU project, the GNU General Public License version 2 is the most popular free software license.

Simplified BSD License logo Simplified BSD License

Also known as the "2-clause" BSD license, this is a simplified version of an open source license created at the University of California Berkley.
  • GPLv2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-03
  • Simplified BSD License Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-03

GPLv2 features and specs

  • Copyleft
    GPLv2 ensures that any derivative work is also distributed under the same license terms. This promotes software freedom by requiring modifications to be open-sourced.
  • Community Collaboration
    It fosters a collaborative environment where developers can contribute improvements back to the original project, enhancing innovation and sharing.
  • User Freedom
    The license guarantees end-users the freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute software, which empowers users and supports ethical software practices.

Possible disadvantages of GPLv2

  • Incompatibility with Non-GPL Licenses
    GPLv2's strict copyleft terms can lead to incompatibility with other open-source licenses, such as the Apache License, making it harder to combine code with differently licensed projects.
  • Perceived Legal Complexity
    Some developers and organizations perceive the legal terms as complex and daunting, which can deter use by those unfamiliar with open-source licensing.
  • Lack of Patent Protections
    Unlike GPLv3, GPLv2 does not include explicit patent license protections, potentially exposing users and developers to patent-related legal risks.

Simplified BSD License features and specs

  • Permissive License
    The Simplified BSD License is permissive, allowing for easy integration into both open source and proprietary software projects without restrictions on distribution.
  • Minimal Restrictions
    It imposes minimal restrictions on how the software can be used, modified, and distributed, which encourages wide adoption and collaboration.
  • Compatibility
    The BSD 2-Clause License is broadly compatible with other licenses, making it easier to combine code with other projects and licenses.
  • Simplicity
    The simplicity of the license's text makes it easy to understand and apply, reducing the barrier for developers to adopt it.
  • Trustworthiness
    As an established and widely recognized license, it is trusted by many in the open source community.

Possible disadvantages of Simplified BSD License

  • Lack of Copyleft Protection
    Unlike copyleft licenses, the BSD 2-Clause License does not require modified versions of the software to distribute their source code, allowing proprietary derivatives.
  • No Patent Grant
    The license does not include an explicit patent grant, which may not protect users from patent claims related to the software.
  • Attribution Requirement
    Although minimal, the requirement to retain the copyright notice and statement of the license might still be considered an unwanted obligation for some users.
  • Potential for License Fragmentation
    The permissive nature of the license can lead to a proliferation of similar, but slightly different licenses, increasing complexity in some ecosystems.

GPLv2 videos

Linus Torvalds says GPL v3 violates everything that GPLv2 stood for

Simplified BSD License videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GPLv2 and Simplified BSD License)
Education
53 53%
47% 47
Productivity
52 52%
48% 48
AI
60 60%
40% 40
Calendar And Scheduling
34 34%
66% 66

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing GPLv2 and Simplified BSD License, you can also consider the following products

MIT License - A license from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

AGPL - GNU Affero General Public License. Strong license for applications designed to guarentee user freedoms to access, modify, and redistribute server-side code.

Creative Commons - The Creative Commons is a collection of licenses that allow content creators to adjust the restrictions that they place on their work.

The Unlicense - The Unlicense is a template for disclaiming copyright monopoly interest in software you've written; in other words, it is a template for dedicating your software to the public domain.

filtr.pub - Find high-quality AI research easily

Open Science Framework - Open Science Framework provides project management with collaborators, and project sharing with the public.