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05.28.10 What Does Google's WebM License Mean For Open Source?  By Savio RodriguesGoogle's WebM, an open and royalty-free media format based on the VP8 video codec, was amongst the highlights coming out of Google I/O 2010. After examining the software license, open source pundits questioned whether WebM should, in theory, be classified open source software. The larger question is why Google allowed this debate to occur in the first place, and what it means for your organization when evaluating an "open source product". Google has positioned WebM as an open alternative to the popular H.264 video codec. Browser vendors from Microsoft, Mozilla, Opera, Adobe and of course Google have signaled support for WebM based on the open nature of WebM. The royalty free angle surely helped in this decision. As would be expected of an open source project, Google released the source code to WebM. Open source in theory or practice? Google did not however utilize an Open Source Initiative (OSI) approved license for WebM. As such, in theory, WebM could not be considered open source software under the open source definition (OSD). ComputerWorld UK columnist and OSI board member Simon Phipps writes: "Many government and business policies around the world point to OSI when defining what is acceptable as "open source". The OSD remains the "gold standard" and we all have much to lose if it is subverted." The WebM FAQ explains Google desire to utilize a standard BSD or Apache license, but deciding to utilize a BSD-based license in order to meet Google's needs: "The Apache license is somewhat similar in effect to this license. The main reason it was not used is that filing patent litigation against someone using the Apache 2 license only terminates patent rights granted under the license. Whoever filed the litigation would still be able to use the software they are suing over and still be in compliance with the license. This license, however, terminates all rights when patent litigation is filed. Rather than modify the Apache license to meet our needs, which would probably lead to significant confusion, we went with the simpler approach of a BSD style license + patent provision." Continue reading this article. About the Author: Savio Rodrigues is a product manager with IBM's WebSphere Software division. He envisions a day when open source and traditional software live in harmony. This site contains Savio's personal views. IBM does not necessarily agree with the views expressed here. |
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