Nebenlizenz

A Nebenlizenz, also known as a secondary license or sublicense, is a legal agreement that allows a party to use, modify, or distribute software or other intellectual property under terms different from the original license. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of open-source software, where the original license grants certain freedoms to users, but a Nebenlizenz may impose additional restrictions or requirements.

Nebenlizenzen can be granted by the original licensor or by a party that has received permission to do so. They are often used to adapt software for specific use cases, such as embedding it in a proprietary application, or to distribute it under different terms, such as a commercial license. However, it is important to note that the validity and enforceability of a Nebenlizenz can depend on the specific terms of the original license and the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is being used.

In some cases, a Nebenlizenz may be incompatible with the original license, leading to legal disputes or the creation of a new, modified license. For example, the GNU General Public License (GPL) explicitly prohibits the creation of Nebenlizenzen that are not compatible with its terms. In such cases, the original licensor may be able to enforce the original license against users of the Nebenlizenz.

Overall, Nebenlizenzen can be a useful tool for adapting software to specific needs, but they must be used carefully and in compliance with the original license and applicable laws.