Looking for a solicitor/lawyer

[Kerwin]

I've been working on a software project licensed as open-source software (AGPLv3 or later). I want to dual license it so it can be used for free as open-source software or licensed under a commercial license that allows private development as long as the users pay a license fee.

To do that, I need a commercial software license written and a contributor agreement so that people who want to take part in the open development of the software would assign all copyright and other rights to my company.

How much do you think this would cost?

 

[gpietersz]

1. It is going to be thousands as a minimum
2. it is hard to find lawyers who understand open source. I am aware of big City solicitors firms and the like not understanding it. This may or may not matter in your circumstances, but I would have thought the lawyer needs to understand.what the license needs to allow that the AGPL does not.
3. Do you have a clear understanding of what the AGPL allows? It does not stop people from doing anything with it OTHER than either redistributing it or running it as an online service without making the source available: it aims to do for webapps and the like, what the GPL does for software installed on your own devices.

 

[Kerwin]

1. It is going to be thousands as a minimum
2. it is hard to find lawyers who understand open source. I am aware of big City solicitors firms and the like not understanding it. This may or may not matter in your circumstances, but I would have thought the lawyer needs to understand.what the license needs to allow that the AGPL does not.
3. Do you have a clear understanding of what the AGPL allows? It does not stop people from doing anything with it OTHER than either redistributing it or running it as an online service without making the source available: it aims to do for webapps and the like, what the GPL does for software installed on your own devices.

Thank you very much for your reply. I think that might be out of my price range.

I was trying to think of ways to make some money off some open-source software whilst still being able to use the software for free if people wanted.

Having thought about it a bit, I might instead concentrate on hosting the open-source software, offering technical support contracts and custom development.

That might be a better option. What do you think?

 

[gpietersz]

I think hosting and support is probably a better option. There are people who make this work. I did some paid development for one once so he is probably doing well enough off it.

I also have clients who use hosted versions of FOSS software such as Sentry (which is excellent BTW).

The AGPL works well in this scenario because it is a deterrent to people using it to run a rival service.

it does not work for everyone for everything (e.g. MongoDB found it insufficient) but fine for things like web apps.

 

[Kerwin]

I think hosting and support is probably a better option. There are people who make this work. I did some paid development for one once so he is probably doing well enough off it.

I also have clients who use hosted versions of FOSS software such as Sentry (which is excellent BTW).

The AGPL works well in this scenario because it is a deterrent to people using it to run a rival service.

it does not work for everyone for everything (e.g. MongoDB found it insufficient) but fine for things like web apps.

Thank you. The only concern I have with the AGPL is that if I do custom work for a client, then I'd have to release that as open source unless there was a specific clause that allowed the person I was doing the custom work for to keep it private.

Sorry not sure if that explained it correctly.

 

[Kerwin]

Oh, sorry for posting twice. I had an idea. What if I charged people to get the software under a more permissive open-source license? So I wouldn't need a solicitor, and the user could do anything they wanted with the code—like the MIT license?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I was trying to think of ways to make some money off some open-source software whilst still being able to use the software for free if people wanted.

Support
Extensions
Bespoke development
Hosting

 

[Kerwin]

Support
Extensions
Bespoke development
Hosting

Thanks. I think that is the route I am going to go down.

 

[Frank Wessely]

I've been working on a software project licensed as open-source software (AGPLv3 or later). I want to dual license it so it can be used for free as open-source software or licensed under a commercial license that allows private development as long as the users pay a license fee.

To do that, I need a commercial software license written and a contributor agreement so that people who want to take part in the open development of the software would assign all copyright and other rights to my company.

How much do you think this would cost?

Slightly late to the thread. I can introduce you to lawyers in the Thames Valley who do understand open source software. Let me know if you are still looking for legal advice.

Thanks.

 

[Kerwin]

Slightly late to the thread. I can introduce you to lawyers in the Thames Valley who do understand open source software. Let me know if you are still looking for legal advice.

Thanks.

Hi. Sorry for the long delay in replying. I spoke to a lawyer the other day who quoted me £2k + VAT which unfortunately is more than can afford. Is this the sort of price all lawyers will quote or is it high or low?

 

[IanSuth]

Hi. Sorry for the long delay in replying. I spoke to a lawyer the other day who quoted me £2k + VAT which unfortunately is more than can afford. Is this the sort of price all lawyers will quote or is it high or low?

That is about the most "how long is a piece of string" question you can ask.

But it is on par with what we paid last time we were chasing a debt - so spending that to ensure you have decent TOB's to avoid disputes sounds like a bargain to me

 

[Kerwin]

That is about the most "how long is a piece of string" question you can ask.

But it is on par with what we paid last time we were chasing a debt - so spending that to ensure you have decent TOB's to avoid disputes sounds like a bargain to me

Fair point. You are right that it makes sense to spend to ensure you have the right legal documents in force.

 

[FlowquestR]

Did you find a lawyer who understands OSS and related commercial Licencing? Could you share details... Thanks.

 

[BaileyLeblanc]

Where are you living? UK or USA?