Re: [oc] Inquiry

["niclas" <niclas@hedhman.org>]

> Anyway, my point is that getting cores for free is not the major
> reason to use open-source IP.  Rather, an open-source core is superior
> to a closed, encrypted core because you can "get under the hood" and
> fix it if necessary.  Opencores would make a wonderful source for open
> IP,  except that the licensing conditions are antithetical to using
> the cores in a larger, proprietary project

This is a great assessment !!

That would perhaps trigger 3 options for OC licenses.

1. GPL
2. BSD
3. Commercial

And one can combine. id Software (talk about far from OC), for instance,
licenses the Quake and Quake II 3D gaming engine under both GPL as well as a
commercial license, which doesn't have the GPL restrictions and allows for
better support.

For Open Cores that has "primarily a single contributor", a GPL license for
those who can abide and a bit of "bread on table" for business who are
prepared to pay some money to get their hands on it, especially if it comes
with source and support.

More tricky for community efforts (there is some going on in BT), such
commercial revenue may be distributed to the people who will provide the
support, or some other agreeable arrangements.

Niclas






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