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Digital impacts Essentials 4: open-source and proprietary software

A software licence is a legal agreement that states how software may be installed, used, copied, modified or distributed. Software needs a licence because copyright belongs to its creator or rights holder, and users need permission for particular uses.

OCR J277 requires you to:

describe open-source and proprietary licence features
explain benefits and drawbacks
recommend a suitable licence for a scenario

Either licence type can be a sensible recommendation. The quality of the answer depends on how well the reasons fit the situation.

Defining features

With an open-source licence, users are given access to the source code and permission to modify the software under the licence terms. The licence may also set conditions for redistribution, attribution or sharing modifications.

With a proprietary licence, the source code is not normally provided to users. The owner retains control and grants limited rights to use the software. Proprietary software is commonly supplied as an off-the-shelf product, subscription or paid licence.

Avoid unreliable shortcuts:

Open source does not necessarily mean no cost.
Proprietary software is not necessarily better tested or more secure.
Open-source software still has a licence and copyright.
Access to source code does not mean there are no conditions.

Fill in the blanks5 marks

A software ______ grants permission under stated conditions. An ______ licence provides access to the ______ and allows modification under its terms. A ______ licence normally gives users no access to that code, while the owner retains greater ______.

source code
open-source
control
unlimited copying
malware
proprietary
licence

Multiple choice, several answers4 marks

Which four statements are accurate? Select all that apply.

AAll open-source software must be supplied without charge
BAn open-source licence can allow users to inspect and modify source code
CA proprietary supplier can retain control over changes and distribution
DProprietary software can never receive technical support
EBoth open-source and proprietary software are protected by copyright
FThe exact permissions depend on the terms of the particular licence

Benefits and drawbacks depend on the stakeholder

For a developer, open source could bring community contributions, wider adoption and inspection of the code. It could also reduce control over redistribution or make some ways of earning money harder, depending on the business model and licence.

For a user, open source can allow inspection, adaptation and reduced dependence on one supplier. However, support, documentation and responsibility for maintaining a customised version can vary.

Proprietary licensing can help a developer control releases, sell licences and provide one managed version. Users may receive an integrated product and supplier support, but cannot normally inspect or modify the source and may face cost or supplier dependence.

Use may, can and depends on the licence where appropriate. Do not turn possible consequences into guaranteed facts.

Written answer6 marks

Compare open-source and proprietary software. Give one defining feature and one possible benefit or drawback of each.

Keep features separate from consequences. Include source-code access in your comparison.

Students type their answer here.

Three licensing decisions

A. Community timetable tool: A council wants schools to adapt a timetable tool for different local needs. It can publish the code but has limited money for future development.

B. New commercial game: A small studio depends on sales of its first game and wants to control official releases and protect its original source code.

C. Scientific analysis tool: A research group wants other researchers to inspect the method, check results and contribute improvements.

A recommendation should name a licence type, connect its feature to a stated need, acknowledge a drawback and, where asked, reach a clear decision.

Written answer6 marks

Recommend a licence type for scenarios A, B and C. Give one applied reason for each recommendation.

Either choice can earn credit when the reasoning fits. Avoid repeating 'it is cheaper' three times.

Students type their answer here.

Multiple choice1 mark

A hospital needs to customise software and inspect how it handles data, but it also requires dependable long-term support. Which is the strongest conclusion?

AOpen source is automatically suitable because it can never contain faults
BProprietary is automatically suitable because source code is never useful
CEither model could work, but the hospital should check modification rights, support arrangements, security responsibilities and supplier dependence
DThe hospital does not need a licence because it provides a public service

Written answer8 marks

The small game studio is considering releasing its game as open source instead of using a proprietary licence. Explain one benefit and one drawback of each option for the studio, then make a justified recommendation.

Apply every point to a small studio that needs sales, exposure, development help and control. State your recommendation clearly.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer6 marks

Challenge: A developer says, “I will publish the source code online, so nobody will own the copyright and anyone can do absolutely anything with it.” Evaluate this statement.

Distinguish visibility, copyright ownership and permissions granted by a specific open-source licence.

Students type their answer here.

Essentials review

Check that you can:

explain why software needs a licence
define open source using source-code access and permitted modification
define proprietary using restricted source-code access and owner control
give benefits and drawbacks for both developers and users
qualify claims about price, support and security
recommend either model when the scenario supports it

For a recommendation question, write the choice, the relevant licence feature, the resulting benefit and one limitation or trade-off.