Copyleft Licenses: Bridging Open Source with Commercial Sustainability

1. MongoDB

   1 309 27,315 10.0 C++

   The MongoDB Database

   

   Companies offering software as a service (SaaS) can adopt licenses such as the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL) or the Server Side Public License (SSPL). For instance, early versions of MongoDB were released under AGPL, ensuring that even in a cloud environment, source code modifications remain open.

2. Stream

   getstream.io featured

   Stream - Scalable APIs for Chat, Feeds, Moderation, & Video. Stream helps developers build engaging apps that scale to millions with performant and flexible Chat, Feeds, Moderation, and Video APIs and SDKs powered by a global edge network and enterprise-grade infrastructure.

   

3. octl

   2 40 8 6.8 Solidity

   Sourcecode, Examples, Howtos

   

   Over time, copyleft has evolved to cover various use cases. Strong copyleft licenses (like GPL and AGPL) enforce that modifications remain open, while weak copyleft licenses (like LGPL and MPL) allow proprietary integration in certain parts of your project. Today, innovative models—such as the Open Compensation Token License (OCTL)—integrate blockchain technology to provide financial incentives to contributors without compromising openness.

4. oculus-linux-kernel

   3 18 168 0.0 C

   The Linux kernel code for Oculus devices

   

   RHEL is built on GPL-licensed Linux code. While the software is open, Red Hat offers commercial subscriptions providing support, updates, and maintenance. This model allows the community to benefit from open source innovations while generating revenue through services.

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