About WD-SAL
The whitedragon-dev Source-Available License (WD-SAL) is a
carefully crafted license template that balances the freedom to share source
code with strong protections for the creator.
It was designed for developers who want to go beyond a simple non-commercial
license by adding explicit patent protection and
prohibiting sublicensing by third parties.
Philosophy
The WD-SAL is built on four core philosophical principles:
-
Freedom to Share: Source code should be freely available
for learning, research, personal use, and collaboration.
-
Protection from Exploitation: Creators should have the
right to decide who profits from their work and how it is licensed.
-
Patent Protection: Users should not fear patent claims
from the copyright holder, and those who sue lose their rights.
-
Zero Liability: Software is provided as-is, with no
warranties and absolutely no responsibility for the copyright holder.
In One Sentence:
"Free for everyone to use non-commercially – with patent protection, no sublicensing, and zero liability."
Why Use WD-SAL?
For Project Owners
- Protect Your Work: Prevent others from selling or commercially exploiting your software.
- Patent Protection: Users get a patent license, but lose it if they sue you.
- No Sublicensing: Others cannot relicense your code under different terms.
- Zero Liability: You are not responsible for how others use your software.
For Users and Contributors
- Free to Use: Use the software for personal, academic, and non-profit purposes.
- Free to Modify: Modify and improve the software for your own needs.
- Patent Peace: You receive an explicit patent license from the copyright holder.
- Clear Terms: The license clearly defines what is and isn't allowed.
Comparison to WD-NCL v1.0
| Aspect |
WD-SAL v1.0 |
WD-NCL v1.0 |
| Non-Commercial Only |
Yes |
Yes |
| Owner Commercial Rights |
Yes |
Yes |
| Patent Protection |
Yes |
No |
| No Sublicensing by Third Parties |
Yes |
No |
| Liability Disclaimer |
Strongest (WITH ALL FAULTS) |
Strong |
| Indemnification |
Yes |
Yes |
Note: This license is not OSI-approved because it restricts commercial use by third parties and prohibits sublicensing, which violates the Open Source Definition. This is intentional.