Hello everyone,
The Darwin team at Apple is pleased to announce that version 2.0 of the
Apple Public Source License, which includes numerous changes to make it
even easier for Open Source developers to use and comply with, has been
certified as conforming to the definition of a “Free Software License”
[1]. To access source code under the terms of APSL 2.0, you can now use
your new or existing “Apple ID”, rather than needing a separate Darwin
account [2].
Additional information about APSL 2.0 and changes to source code access
are below, with full details available at
(http://www.opensource.apple.com/news/2.0-announce.html).
If you have any questions, please contact us at
admin@opensource.apple.com.
Sincerely,
The Darwin Team at Apple
[1] Apple Public Source License 2.0 now a “Free Software License”
Apple is pleased to announce the 2.0 version of the Apple Public Source
License. It improves upon the OSI-approved APSL 1.2 by conforming to
the definition of Free Software Licenses
(www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html), as certified by the Free
Software Foundation:
Excerpted from the FSF web site:
“The Apple Public Source License (APSL) version 2.0 qualifies as a Free
Software License. In version 2.0 of the APSL, the definition of
“Externally Deployed” has been narrowed in a way that is appropriate
for the respect of users’ freedoms. The APSL 2.0, like the Affero GPL,
seeks to defend the freedom of those who use software in these novel
ways, without unduly hindering the users’ privacy nor freedom to use
the software.”
We are grateful to Richard Stallman for his many helpful comments in
this process. APSL 2.0 is also being submitted to the Open Source
Initiative (http://www.opensource.org/licenses/index.php) to certify
its continued compliance with the Open Source Definition.
The Apple Public Source License 2.0 includes numerous changes to make
it even easier for Open Source developers to use and comply with,
including:
* Source distribution is only required for “External Deployment”,
allowing individuals and corporations to do private internal
deployments
* An option to distribute source only to those receiving binaries,
rather than always having to distribute to the general public
* Simpler, clearer, and more symmetric licensing terms
The full text of the APSL is available from the following locations:
* http://www.opensource.apple.com/apsl/2.0.txt (full text)
* http://www.opensource.apple.com/apsl/2.0-redline.pdf (diffs from 1.2)
More details are available at
(http://www.opensource.apple.com/news/2.0-announce.html).
[2] Open Source now accessible using Apple IDs
The Darwin team is pleased to announce that we are now using Apple IDs
to indicate acceptance of the terms of the Apple Public Source License
2.0. Now the same Apple ID you use for Apple Developer Connection, the
AppleCare Knowledge Base, the Apple Store, the iTunes Music Store, or
your .Mac account may be used to view and download APSL-licensed Darwin
source code. Additionally, you may update your contact information via
(myinfo.apple.com) or request a reminder for your password from
(iforgot.apple.com). If you don’t already have an Apple ID, please
obtain one at (signin.apple.com) by clicking the “New Account” button.