 | |
| Author | Eclipse Foundation |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 2.0 |
| Published | 24 August 2017 |
| SPDX identifier | EPL-2.0 EPL-1.0 |
| Debian FSG compatible | Yes[1] |
| FSF approved | Yes[2] |
| OSI approved | Yes[3] |
| GPL compatible | Optionally but not by default[4] |
| Copyleft | Limited[2] |
| Linking from code with a different licence | Yes[5] |
| Website | eclipse |
The Eclipse Public License (EPL) is a free and open source software license most notably used for the Eclipse IDE and other projects by the Eclipse Foundation. It replaces the Common Public License (CPL) and removes certain terms relating to litigations related to patents.[6]
The Eclipse Public License is designed to be a business-friendly free software license, and features weaker copyleft provisions than licenses such as the GNU General Public License (GPL).[7] The receiver of EPL-licensed programs can use, modify, copy and distribute the work and modified versions, in some cases being obligated to release their own changes.[8]
The EPL is listed as a free software license by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and approved by the Open Source Initiative (OSI).[3][2]
Discussion of a new version of the EPL began in May 2013.[9] Version 2.0 was announced on 24 August 2017.[4]
On 20 January 2021, the license steward for the license was changed from Eclipse.org Foundation, Inc. (Delaware, USA) to Eclipse Foundation AISBL (Brussels, Belgium).[10]
- ^ "Copyright information for Debian package eclipse-emf". Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
FSFLicenseListwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "OSI approval". Retrieved 21 June 2007.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
milinkovich-2017was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Eclipse Public License (EPL) Frequently Asked Questions : linking section". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ In section 7, this sentence is in CPL 1.0, but not EPL 1.0: "If Recipient institutes patent litigation against a Contributor with respect to a patent applicable to software (including a cross-claim or counterclaim in a lawsuit), then any patent licenses granted by that Contributor to such Recipient under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date such litigation is filed."
- ^ "Open Source Software: a legal guide | LawGives". LawGives. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Eclipse Public License - v 1.0". Retrieved 12 September 2006.
- ^ "Community Review of the Eclipse Public License". 31 May 2013.
- ^ "[License-review] Change in Steward for the Eclipse Public License 2.0". lists.opensource.org. Retrieved 2 May 2021.