Apachelisenssi

Apache License, Version 2.0, commonly referred to as the Apache License, is a permissive free software license written by the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). It allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute software covered by the license, both in source and binary forms. The license is designed to promote software freedom and collaboration, encouraging the development of open-source software.

The Apache License is notable for its simplicity and flexibility. It requires only that any modifications to the original code be clearly documented and that the original copyright notice and license text be included in any redistributed versions. This approach minimizes legal barriers to adoption and use, making it a popular choice for open-source projects.

The license also includes a patent grant, which states that contributors grant a patent license to users of the software, ensuring that users are not sued for patent infringement. This provision is particularly valuable in the context of software development, where patents can be a significant barrier to innovation.

The Apache License has been widely adopted by numerous open-source projects, including Apache HTTP Server, Apache Hadoop, and Apache Cassandra. Its permissive nature has made it a standard choice for many developers and organizations looking to contribute to or use open-source software.