A developer has created a new open-source application for a Linux environment. They want to ensure that any derivative works based on their code are also distributed under the same free and open-source terms, requiring that all modifications be shared back with the community. Which of the following license types BEST fulfills this requirement?
The correct answer is Copyleft. A copyleft license uses copyright law to ensure that all modified and extended versions of a program remain free software. It grants users the right to use, modify, and redistribute the work, but requires that any derivative works be distributed under the same or compatible license terms. This is often called a 'reciprocal' or 'share-alike' condition.
Permissive licenses are incorrect because they have minimal restrictions and allow derivative works to be released under different, even proprietary, terms.
Proprietary licenses are incorrect because they are used for closed-source software where the source code is not made available and modification is prohibited.
Public Domain is incorrect because placing a work in the public domain relinquishes all copyright, allowing anyone to use the work for any purpose, including creating proprietary versions, without any obligation to share modifications.
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CompTIA Linux+ XK0-006 (V8)
System Management
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