counterlicense

A counterlicense is a legal mechanism used to address the potential conflicts that can arise when a software license is incompatible with another license. It is typically employed in the context of open-source software, where multiple licenses may be applied to different components of a project. A counterlicense is a license that is applied to a work that is already covered by another license, with the intention of overriding or modifying the terms of the original license.

The primary purpose of a counterlicense is to ensure that the terms of the original license do not impose restrictions that are incompatible with the terms of the counterlicense. This is particularly relevant in situations where a project incorporates components licensed under different terms, and the project maintainer wishes to apply a single, consistent set of terms to the entire project.

Counterlicenses are often used in the context of the GNU General Public License (GPL) and the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). For example, if a project is licensed under the GPL but incorporates components licensed under the LGPL, the project maintainer may apply a counterlicense to ensure that the terms of the LGPL are not overridden by the GPL. This can be done by including a statement in the project's license file that explicitly states the terms of the counterlicense.

It is important to note that the use of counterlicenses can be controversial and may be seen as an attempt to circumvent the terms of the original license. As such, it is generally recommended that project maintainers consult with legal counsel before applying a counterlicense to a project. Additionally, the use of counterlicenses may be subject to the terms of the original license, which may prohibit or restrict the application of a counterlicense.