What is free use?

Free use, also known as permissive licenses, refers to copyright licenses that grant users broad permissions to use, modify, and distribute copyrighted works, often with minimal restrictions. These licenses contrast with more restrictive "all rights reserved" copyright, as well as more restrictive copyleft licenses.

Key aspects of free use include:

• Freedom to Use: Users are generally allowed to use the work for any purpose, including commercial use.
• Freedom to Modify: Users can adapt, alter, or create derivative works based on the original work.
• Freedom to Distribute: Users can distribute copies of the original work or derivative works, often without restrictions on the distribution method or licensing terms.

Common examples of free use licenses are:

• MIT License: A very short and permissive license.
• BSD Licenses: A family of permissive licenses with variations in their terms.
• Apache License 2.0: A permissive license focusing on patent rights.
• Creative Commons licenses (CC0 and CC BY): Specific Creative Commons licenses that are considered permissive. CC0 waives all copyright, while CC BY requires attribution.

While "free use" often implies minimal restrictions, there are usually some conditions:

• Attribution: Many free use licenses require attribution to the original author or licensor. This ensures that the creator receives credit for their work.
• Disclaimer of Warranty: Free use licenses typically include a disclaimer of warranty, meaning the licensor is not liable for any issues arising from the use of the work.
• Preservation of Copyright Notice: Some licenses require that the original copyright notice be included in any copies or derivative works.

Free use is important for:

• Promoting Collaboration: By removing barriers to use and modification, free use licenses encourage collaboration and the creation of derivative works.
• Open Source Software: Free use licenses are commonly used for open source software, allowing developers to use, modify, and distribute the code freely.
• Creative Commons Works: Many works licensed under Creative Commons licenses are considered free use, particularly CC0 and CC BY.

It is important to carefully read the terms of each free use license to understand the specific permissions and restrictions. These can vary between licenses. The concept of Public Domain is related, as works in the public domain are free from copyright restrictions.