I. Overview

Python was written by Guido van Rossum, but he does not own the surce code. The initial copyright holder was Stichting Mathtematisch Centrum. Because Guido joined the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (“CNRI”), CNRI obtained ownership of Python, and drafted a new license – Python 1.6b1. This CNRI Python license is very similar to the BSD, and is designed to grant others the full right to access and use the Python.

 

II. Current Status

Only Python 1.6b1 has used the specific license. Python 1.6.1 has employed the license that is compatible with the GPL. As a fact, however, other versions of the CNRI Python licenses are not very different from this version of the license (in the granting of rights part).

III.Righs and Duties

  1. Rights

The licensee is granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free, world-wide license to reproduce, analyze, test, perform and/or display publicly, prepare derivative works, distribute, and otherwise use of Python 1.6b1 alone or in any derivative version.

  2. Duties

    (1) The licensee must retain the License Agreement in Python 1.6b1, alone or in any derivative version prepared by the licensee. Alternately, in lieu of CNRI Python License, the licensee may substitute the text as paragraph 2 of the article 2.

    (2) In the event the licensee prepares a derivative work that is based on or incorporates Python 1.6b1or any part thereof, and wants to make the derivative work available to the public as provided herein, then he/she hereby agrees to indicate in any such work the nature of the modifications made to Python 1.6b1.

IV. Other Important Features

  1. The CNRI Python License is a free software license, but is incompatible with the GPL. What is compatible with the GPL is the Python Software Foundation License.

  2. This license will automatically terminate upon a material breach of its terms and conditions.

  3. The law of the State of Virginia is applicable wherever a dispute arises.