What is “distribution”?

What is “distribution”?


  • In simple terms, distribution refers to transferring a copy of a copyrighted work (such as software) from one legal person to another.

  • The concept of distribution matters because the requirements of open source licenses are triggered only when software is distributed.

  • Thus, a person who does not distribute software cannot violate an open source license’s terms.

  • And because “legal person” includes a corporation, there is no distribution—and therefore no risk of violating a license’s terms—if software is merely transferred between employees of the same company.