Business Source License 1.1 (BSL)

The Business Source License (BSL or BUSL) is a "Source Available" license, NOT an Open Source license (according to OSI definitions). It allows users to copy, modify, and redistribute the code for non-production or limited production use, but typically restricts "competing" commercial u...

🛡️ RISK BADGE: 🔴 RESTRICTIVE (Source Available)

Executive Summary: What is it?

The Business Source License (BSL or BUSL) is a "Source Available" license, NOT an Open Source license (according to OSI definitions). It allows users to copy, modify, and redistribute the code for non-production or limited production use, but typically restricts "competing" commercial use or sets a revenue threshold (e.g., "Free for companies under $5M revenue").

Key Feature: The "Time Bomb"

A unique feature of BSL is the "Change Date." After a specific period (usually 3-4 years), the code automatically converts to a true Open Source license (like GPL or Apache).

CFO / Business Impact

Internal Cost: Usually $0 for internal use cases within the specified revenue or usage thresholds.
Commercial Risk: Prohibits building a competing SaaS product using the licensed code without a commercial agreement.
Exit Strategy: Guaranteed conversion to a permissive license after the Change Date ensures long-term digital sovereignty.

Similar Alternatives

MIT License

The MIT License is the most permissive and popular open-source license. It allows you to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software. The only requirement is that you include the original copyright notice in your copy.

License Intelligence

Apache License 2.0

The Apache 2.0 is a modern permissive license favored by large enterprises (Google, Android, Kubernetes). Like MIT, it allows full commercial use. Crucially, it includes an explicit patent grant, protecting you from patent lawsuits from the contributors.

License Intelligence

BSD 3-Clause License

The BSD 3-Clause License (also known as "New BSD" or "Modified BSD") is a permissive free software license. It is very similar to the MIT License, allowing you to use, modify, and distribute the software for any purpose. The key difference is an added clause that prohibits using the nam...

License Intelligence

Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0)

The Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0) is the "middle ground" of open source licenses. It is a weak copyleft license.

License Intelligence

Eclipse Public License 2.0 (EPL-2.0)

The EPL-2.0 is a business-friendly, weak copyleft license. It allows for proprietary integration while ensuring that modifications to the original files remain open source.

License Intelligence

GNU LGPL v3

The LGPL (Lesser General Public License) is a compromise between the permissive Apache/MIT and the strict GPL. It allows you to link your proprietary software to an LGPL library (dynamically) without forcing your proprietary code to become open source. However, if you modify the LGPL li...

License Intelligence