I am writing a commercial application that will make use of some open libraries licensed under different licenses.
For example one library will be licensed under the Apache 2.0 license, another will use the LGPL license. Both licenses allow usage in commercial applications, but differ in the way the attributions of licensed work is given.
It is my first commercial application that uses 3rd party libraries and I want to do the right thing so that the 3rd party licenses are satisfied. I am not only asking what I should do, but also what I must not do.
What is the best way to go about displaying these licenses?
Best Answer
In case of Apache 2.0 as well as LGPL (if the code is only linking to your code without modification), you can distribute your product (for a charge) without having to open up your code of that product.
In this case, you have to make a list of libraries are included, and for each, the actual license files that your dependent libraries have provided in their source/object code. Credits to these libraries must be given.
As LGPL license puts it,
As Apache 2.0 puts it,
Also some of the other things you cannot use, is to use the Trademark, Logo of those libraries in part of your product. for example you should not:
Further, if there is a warranty issue i.e. if the system doesn't function as intended because of software issue, the said libraries (under Apache) do not come with WARRANTY. Hence, you need to fix problems for the clients without pointing them to copy write owners of those libraries.
Refer to this: http://www.inteist.com/2010/05/how-to-use-apache-2-0-in-commercial-products-explained-in-simple-terms/
and
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/439136.html