Apple's Changes to Public Source License Cautiously Approved

Computergram International, April 23, 1999

By Rachel Chalmers

Changes to Apple Computer Inc's Public Source License (APSL) have created a favorable first impression among members of the open source and free software communities. Debate is, however, still under way. Bruce Perens, one of the most outspoken critics of the original APSL (CI No 3,621), writes: "There is still a few days more of public online discussion being carried out before either OSI [the Open Source Institute] or myself will give their final call, because we want to be open to objections from others in the free software community."

Apple has removed one clause that prevented developers from shipping APSLed code to countries covered by US export restrictions. The company also eased up on its right to terminate the license at any time. This provision has been the principle point of contention. Perens praised the company for its prompt and thoughtful response to community concerns. "My first reading did not give me anything to object to and impressed me very favorably with the responsiveness of Apple," he writes; "they really did their best to address our criticisms."