License type considerations

Here’s a brief overview of when to use each license type:

MIT License

• When to use: If you want to allow anyone to freely use, modify, and distribute your software with minimal restrictions. Ideal for open-source projects where you want to maximize adoption and contributions.
• Key features: Allows commercial use, modification, and distribution; requires inclusion of the license in copies of the software.

Apache 2.0 License

• When to use: If you want to provide a more comprehensive open-source license with an explicit grant of patent rights and protection from liability. Good for projects that involve contributions from multiple parties, especially when patents might be involved.
• Key features: Includes a grant of patent rights, explicit terms for contributions, and allows commercial use and modification, with a requirement to state changes made.

GPL (General Public License)

• When to use: If you want to ensure that all modified versions of your software remain open-source. Suitable for projects where you want to enforce the principle of “copyleft” (i.e., derivative works must also be open-source).
• Key features: Requires that derivative works be distributed under the same license; ensures continued openness.

BSD License (2-Clause or 3-Clause)

• When to use: If you want a permissive license that is similar to MIT but with some additional conditions, such as protecting the name of the project. Often used in software that needs to be embedded in other projects (e.g., operating systems).
• Key features: Allows use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions; 3-Clause BSD adds additional protection for trademarks.

In short:

• Use MIT for simplicity and permissiveness.
• Use Apache 2.0 for more detailed protection, especially for patents.
• Use GPL if you want to enforce open-source derivatives.
• Use BSD for permissive licensing with a few more conditions.