Open Source License?

[CheeseBurgerMan]

I'd like to make my apps open source, and would prefer to release them with an OSI and/or FSF approved license. I'm really not to into the legalese that most of these licenses are, and only have a few simple desires about my app.

I want the user to be able to:

• Download and modify the source code (obviously)
• Redistribute the original/modified source code, original/modified binaries, as long as he acknowledges that it was derived from my work.

I don't want the user to:

• Sell the original app. It would be OK for him to sell the modified version as long as the modifications aren't simply removing my copyrights.

I mostly just want the people who modify it to acknowledge that I did the original coding. I don't really care what else they do to it, as long as they are willing to give me credit for the initial coding.

I don't like the GPL as it forces anyone who modifies it to also license it under the GPL. I dislike this copyleft. The BSD license is pretty good, although I dislike that my app could be repackaged and sold.

Any suggestions would be appreciated,
CheeseBurgerMan

[Jordan]

hmm. I think your only choice is to write your own. I don't know too much about open source licenses except for GPL. I'll look into this for you though.

[CheeseBurgerMan]

Yeah, I don't really like doing that though. The license has much more legal meaning if it's been FSF/OSI approved, and people have a better idea of what they can do with a well-known license.

I suppose I could always write one, and try to get it approved.

[Jordan]

What is the process for getting it approved though? Perhaps this would be a good community project.

[CheeseBurgerMan]

Here is a link to how you get it approved.

My biggest problem is actually writing the license. My writing in English isn't particularly good, and legalese is even worse. I will likely attempt to make at least a first draft, and then post it here for community inspection.

[Jordan]

Sounds like a great idea. You are more than welcome to send me a pre-draft to review before posting as well.

[CheeseBurgerMan]

OK, I've written a draft, which I will post up as a community project as soon as I can figure out one more thing. The name (thanks, Jordan for noticing that I'd forgotten this ).

I'd like to figure out a name for this license before I get much more into writing it. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

I've got one name in mind right now...

• Codecall Public License

Which is OK, I don't mind this name, but I certainly wouldn't mind suggestions either.