This sample language shows how to use the council’s license list or model license to set rules about release of software under a software development contract.
For more solutions, see the solutions list.
If you need legal advice or specific language for yourself or your company, don’t copy this example blindly. Hire a lawyer. A good one will ask you good questions, to understand your situation. Depending on your answers, they may decide this example meets your needs.
Whenever this agreement requires Contractor to release a Deliverable as open source software, Contractor agrees to do all of the following:
License that Deliverable to the public under the terms of
[Choose one:]
[Option 1: the latest version of the Blue Oak Model License published at https://blueoakcouncil.org]
[Option 2: a single form license that https://blueoakcouncil.org rated “Gold” or better]
on [the date of this agreement OR DATE].
Publish a Release Package to the World Wide Web containing the full source code of the Deliverable, in the preferred form for making changes, along with a notice of the license.
Give Client notice of a URL where Client can download the Release Package.
Ensure that the Release Package remains available for free download during the term of this agreement and during the three calendar months after this agreement ends.
Blue Oak Council makes all example language available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.