The Ethical Open License (EOL) - Rethinking Open Source Responsibility

313 · Tim Kicker · Feb. 24, 2025, 2:47 p.m.
Summary
The Ethical Open License (EOL) proposes a new framework for open-source software that addresses ethical responsibilities regarding the use of code in harmful ways, such as mass surveillance or discrimination. It emphasizes that developers should have a say in how their software is utilized, creating licensing terms that bar unethical applications while maintaining openness. EOL introduces a structured approach for enforcing these restrictions and a potential royalty model for commercial users to support ethical oversight.