Open Source anf Free licensing classification [closed]

Question

As a webdesigner/developer I often use plugins or someone else's code in my websites and templates, and I want to understand a little bit more about how those pieces of code are licensed, so I'm doing some research.

I'd like to make a classification of all the open source and other license types that let you use someone else's code (or graphic, or font or anything else), so I want to discuss with you what should be the best "parameters" to take in consideration when talking about this topic to make a proper classification.

So fare I came out with those:

• does it allow commercial usage? or only personal?
• does it allow redistribution?
• does it allow derivative work?
• does it require to distribute derivative work with the same license?

Do you think I should take in consideration other aspects? What's your thoughts?

I'll be glad to share my final classification with you once it is completed ;)

Answer 1

I made a similar list a while pack. The first four is more or less identical to yours:

1. Allow commercial use (i.e. use for for-profit purposes)
2. Allow redistribution.
3. Allow derivative work.
4. Require copyleft (i.e. derivative work must use same license).

However, I also have two additional items:

1. Allow incorporation in non-free composites (e.g. LGPL).
2. Require advertising (i.e. backlink and/or "powered by", or similar, is mandatory).

There are also some licenses that say "no military use" or want you to sent the author a postcard as condition of use, but I'd leave those out as they are not widespread, and not (IMHO) practical.