According to data presented by DiBona, Google's Open Source programs manager, the GPLv3 license now represents more than half of the GPL licensed code that Google hosts on its Google Code site. What DiBona's data shows is that developers are embracing GPLv3 and using it for their project in growing numbers.

Recently word started getting around that the terms for getting apps on Windows Phone 7, and indie games on the Xbox, have changed. Now, programs submitted to Microsoft cannot have any code licensed under a copyleft license. Even if a single file is licensed under a weaker copyleft license like the LGPL, Microsoft will apparently reject it.

Some successful open-source companies are using a dual-licensing scheme. In short, software is released both through an open source version (e.g. licensed under the GNU GPL) and through a proprietary license usually reserved to paying customers.

Anyone who has used the Internet has open-source licensing to thank. Programs licensed as open-source - like Apache, which retrieves and loads Internet pages - are maintained by an online community. Anyone can write new programming code to update or improve the software.

Following GNU AGPLv3, Mozilla Public License is named as not popular enough by Google’s code hosting service.

“The search giant has said Google Code is no longer accepting projects licensed under MPL, although existing MPL-licensed code is allowed to stay.”

Canada has a Request for Information (RFI) related to No-Charge Licensed Software (typically referred to as Free and Open Source Software or FOSS and also applicable to freeware). For the purpose of the RFI, No Charge Licensed Software means Licensed Software that is available at no charge for the Licensed Software and is typically made available as a free download from the Internet.

Gameduino is a game adapter for Arduino built as a single shield that has plugs for a VGA monitor and stereo speakers. Gameduino hardware is BSD licensed and code is GPL licensed.

I have a few hats on in the greater FS community which puts me a position where many folks approach me with their licensing issues. One of those hats is the PR representative of the Open Source Experts Group of the Austrian chamber of commerce.

A federal appeals court ruled today that the first sale doctrine is "unavailable to those who are only licensed to use their copies of copyrighted works."

This should make freely licensed software even more appealing.