Open Source and Licensing in OpenEduCat

1. "Open source" Does Not Mean "Free of Charge"—It Means Source Code Availability
  • Key Idea:
    • Open Source Definition:
      • Open Source Software means that the source code is available for anyone to view, study, and—depending on the license—modify.
    • Not Necessarily Free:
      • The term "open source" doesn’t automatically imply that the software is free of cost. There can be charges for support, additional features, or enhanced services.
  • In the Context of OpenEduCat:
    • Community Edition:
      • Designed to be open source; its code is accessible to developers who wish to review or modify it.
      • May involve community contributions and collaborative development.
    • Enterprise Edition:
      • While it is build on open source principles, it is offered under a proprietary license.
      • Requires a paid license and restricts modifications, reflecting a model where source code availability is not the primary goal.
2. Open Source Does Not Always Mean "Free to Redistribute, Rebrand, or Resell"
  • Key Idea:
    • License-Dependent Rights:
      • The freedoms granted by an open source license can vary. Some licenses allow full freedom to redistribute, rebrand, or resell the software, while others impose restrictions.
    • Conditions Apply:
      • Even when source code is available, the specific license terms determine what you can legally do with that code.
  • In the Context of OpenEduCat:
    • Community Edition:
      • Typically released under an open source license that allow modifications and redistribution, but you must adhere to the license terms (such as preserving attribution or sharing modifications under the same terms).
      • Users must review the exact license provided LGPL-3 in case of OpenEduCat Community Edition to understand their rights.
    • Enterprise Edition:
      • Uses a proprietary license that limits redistribution, rebranding, and reselling.
      • These restrictions are in place to protect the business model and ensure that the enterprise version remains controlled and supported.
3. Open Source Software Can Come with Various Licenses, Including Permissive and Proprietary Options
  • Key Idea:
    • Variety of Licenses:
      • Open source licenses range from permissive (like MIT or BSD) to copyleft (like GPL-3 or LGPL-3), each with its own rules regarding use, modification, and distribution.
    • Proprietary Overlays:
      • Sometimes, a product built on an open source foundation (as seen with some enterprise products) may use a proprietary license that limits how the source code can be used, modified, or shared.
  • In the Context of OpenEduCat:
    • Community Edition:
      • Likely to be distributed under a traditional open source license LGPL-3, encouraging community collaboration while setting clear boundaries on redistribution or modification.
    • Enterprise Edition:
      • Adopts a proprietary license (similar in approach to Odoo Enterprise Edition), meaning that while it may benefit from open source technologies, it restricts user freedoms like modification, redistribution, or even SaaS deployment without a proper paid license.

Below is a comparison table that highlights the key differences between the OpenEduCat Community Edition and the Enterprise Edition in an easy-to-understand format:

Feature OpenEduCat Community Edition OpenEduCat Enterprise Edition
Licensing Model Open source license LGPL-3 Proprietary license with restricted rights
Cost Generally free to use (support or implementation services may incur additional charges) Requires a paid license
Source Code Accessibility Fully accessible; users can view, study, and modify the code as per the license terms Access to the source code may be limited; modifications are typically prohibited
Modification Rights Allowed under the open-source license, enabling users to tailor the software to their needs Restricted; modifications are usually not permitted to maintain control over the software's integrity
Redistribution/Rebranding/Resale Rights Governed by the open-source license Generally not permitted; redistribution, rebranding, or resale is restricted to protect the commercial model
SaaS Deployment Permitted if compliant with the license terms Often restricted under the proprietary license
Target Audience Developers, enthusiasts, and organizations that favor flexibility and community-driven innovation Organizations requiring enterprise-grade features, support, and controlled deployment