Microsoft Open Sources ASP.NET MVC 1.0 with BSD-like MS-PL License

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Scott Guthrie details one of Microsoft’s new foray’s into FOSS software.  For those of you aren’t aware, MS-PL stands for “Microsoft Public License” and reads as follows:

 

This license governs use of the accompanying software. If you use the software, you

accept this license. If you do not accept the license, do not use the software.

1. Definitions

The terms "reproduce," "reproduction," "derivative works," and "distribution" have the

A "contribution" is the original software, or any additions or changes to the software.

A "contributor" is any person that distributes its contribution under this license.

"Licensed patents" are a contributor's patent claims that read directly on its contribution.

2. Grant of Rights

(A) Copyright Grant- Subject to the terms of this license, including the license conditions and limitations in section 3, each contributor grants you a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free copyright license to reproduce its contribution, prepare derivative works of its contribution, and distribute its contribution or any derivative works that you create.

(B) Patent Grant- Subject to the terms of this license, including the license conditions and limitations in section 3, each contributor grants you a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license under its licensed patents to make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, import, and/or otherwise dispose of its contribution in the software or derivative works of the contribution in the software.

3. Conditions and Limitations

(A) No Trademark License- This license does not grant you rights to use any contributors' name, logo, or trademarks.

(B) If you bring a patent claim against any contributor over patents that you claim are infringed by the software, your patent license from such contributor to the software ends automatically.

(D) If you distribute any portion of the software in source code form, you may do so only under this license by including a complete copy of this license with your distribution. If you distribute any portion of the software in compiled or object code form, you may only do so under a license that complies with this license.

(E) The software is licensed "as-is." You bear the risk of using it. The contributors give no express warranties, guarantees or conditions. You may have additional consumer rights under your local laws which this license cannot change. To the extent permitted under your local laws, the contributors exclude the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

There is not a whole lot to deal with as it effectively behaves like a BSD license.  Releasing the first version of a major product in an open-source manor is a big step for Microsoft.  Up until now, Microsoft has support open-source efforts with separate community led projects with the help of Novell and the community.  Only a few resources were allocated for full support and development of projects such Moonlight and Samba.  If this gesture by Microsoft is a sample of things to come, then the future for open-source development is looking bright.