November 26, 2025
Open-source software (OSS) is software licensed to make its source code publicly available with minimal restrictions on its use, modification, and distribution.
This lesson is essential for mitigating critical IP risks associated with development, ensuring every employee understands their role in license compliance. By mastering the protocols for identifying and using only pre-approved components, you directly prevent the potential for proprietary code to be exposed or compromised, safeguarding competitive edge.
This lesson teaches:
- Open-source software is governed by legally binding licenses that must be followed to avoid copyright infringement.
- "Copyleft" licenses pose unique risks by potentially forcing proprietary code to be released under the same license.
- Company policies require following specific approval processes for using open-source components to protect intellectual property.
- Employees are responsible for reviewing licenses, using only pre-approved components, and consulting legal teams when uncertain.
Resources
If you have an LMS-connected account, you can download the SCORM file for the Open-Source Software (OSS) and Protecting IP microlesson. For more information, please refer to the Available Microlessons content article for additional information.