Python License

Last updated

Python License
Author Corporation for National Research Initiatives
Latest version2.11 and newer
SPDX identifierPython-2.0
FSF approved Yes [1]
OSI approved Yes
GPL compatible Some versions [1] [2]
Copyleft No

The Python License is a deprecated permissive computer software license created by the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI). It was used for versions 1.6 and 2.0 of the Python programming language, both released in the year 2000.

Contents

The Python License is similar to the BSD License and, while it is a free software license, its wording in some versions meant that it was incompatible with the GNU General Public License (GPL) used by a great deal of free software including the Linux kernel. For this reason CNRI retired the license in 2001, and the license of current releases is the Python Software Foundation License. [3]

Origin

Python was created by Guido van Rossum and the initial copyright was held by his employer, the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI). During this time Python was distributed under a GPL-compatible variant of the Historical Permission Notice and Disclaimer license. [4] CNRI obtained ownership of Python when Van Rossum became employed there, and after some years they drafted a new license for the language.

Retirement

The Python License includes a clause stating that the license is governed by the State of Virginia, United States. The Python Software Foundation License; Python 1.6.1 differs from Python 1.6 only in some minor bug fixes and new GPL-compatible licensing terms.[ citation needed ]

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History of Python History of the Python programming language

The programming language Python was conceived in the late 1980s, and its implementation was started in December 1989 by Guido van Rossum at CWI in the Netherlands as a successor to ABC capable of exception handling and interfacing with the Amoeba operating system. Van Rossum is Python's principal author, and his continuing central role in deciding the direction of Python is reflected in the title given to him by the Python community, Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL).. Python was named after the BBC TV show Monty Python's Flying Circus.

References

  1. 1 2 "License of Python 1.6a2 and earlier versions". Free Software Foundation. List of licenses.
    "License of Python 1.6b1 through 2.0 and 2.1". Free Software Foundation. List of licenses.
    "License of Python 2.0.1, 2.1.1, and newer versions". Free Software Foundation. List of licenses.
  2. History and License Python
  3. "Python 3.3.4 license" . Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  4. "Python 2.5 license (with historical notes)". Python.org. Retrieved March 31, 2008.