Beware, this coin is released under corporate-unfriendly
GNU Affero General Public License I had to read, remember and then re-implement last XOR step of WhirlpoolX. Just two lines of code, not a big deal, but...
What? Ew, ew, oh God, ew. Thanks for letting us know - I had no idea.
Strategic Uses of AGPL
Certain business models lend themselves to the use of the AGPL. Here are a few examples.
A company (“Developer”) is involved in dual sourcing — releasing software under an open source license while also offering to license the software under a proprietary license. This business strategy can be appropriate in many situations. The release of the software using an open source license for free or a greatly reduced cost allows a potential licensee to try the software with little risk. If the licensee later desires to receive services that are not available with the open source license, such as error correction services, training, implementation services, and even operation of the software on the licensee’s behalf on the Developer’s servers, then the licensee can approach the Developer for a proprietary license. One of the needs of the Developer is to avoid having a third party take the open source product and use it to compete with the Developer, in essence getting a free head start in developing a competing product. Normally, the Developer can prevent this kind of competition by licensing the open source product using the GPL or LGPL.[7] However, if the product can be effectively provided as a service, under a SAAS model, the use of the GPL or LGPL will not prevent a competitor using the open sourced software competitively against the Developer. Use of the AGPL closes that loophole in the business model.
Expanding the example above, the AGPL should be at least considered for use with any software product in any business model that has a strategic reason for developing and supporting an open source product licensed under an open source license having copyleft features.[8]
Conclusion
As with many things in life, Sir Francis Bacon’s famous aphorism, “Knowledge is Power,” applies to the AGPL. The presence of the AGPL will cause anxiety for attorneys who practice in this area.[9] Nevertheless, the AGPL is a tool that, properly used, can be very useful in helping certain companies achieve their business objectives.
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