Document background
This Restrictive Open Source License is designed for organizations and individuals who wish to make their software available for public use while maintaining stricter control over its distribution and modification compared to traditional open source licenses. The document is particularly relevant in the Indian legal context, incorporating requirements from the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, Information Technology Act, 2000, and Indian Contract Act, 1872. It should be used when the software owner wants to promote collaboration and innovation while protecting their intellectual property interests through specific restrictions on usage, modification, or commercial exploitation. The license includes detailed terms for attribution, modification rights, distribution conditions, and compliance requirements, making it suitable for both domestic and international software distribution while ensuring enforceability under Indian law.
