Licence FAQs

Q) What are the key elements of the GPL agreement?

The GNU General Public License applies to most of the Free Software Foundation's software and to hundreds of other open source products. It is designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software, that you receive source code or can get it if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.

To protect your rights, there are restrictions that forbid anyone to deny you these rights or ask you to surrender these rights. These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you distribute copies of the software or if you modify it. For example, if you distribute copies of the software, you must give the recipients all the rights that you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their rights.

Squiz retains copyright of the MySource Matrix software distributed under the GPL, as you would if you modify it and redistribute it.

Also, for each author's protection and ours, you should understand that there is no warranty for this free software. If the software is modified by someone else and passed on, its recipients should know that what they have is not the original, so that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on the original authors' reputations.

Q) What are the key elements of the SSV licence agreement?

In contrast to the GPL, Squiz charge a licence fee for the SSV licence. In return, you receive additional software modules and a 30 day warranty, which can be extended under a service level agreement (SLA). You may modify the software, but you may not redistribute it.

Q) What are the key differences between the GPL and SSV licence agreements?

The following table summarises the differences between the two licences:

Q) Why have Squiz chosen this dual licence approach?

This approach provides flexibility of choice for our clients, who in our experience have a broad range of circumstances and requirements. The GPL version is suitable if you require no additional help in implementing the product, or you already have dedicated commercial-level MySource Matrix support resources in place, or you have no need for the extended functionality offered by the Squiz modules.

You may prefer the SSV licence to take advantage of our commercial-level support services from a best-of-breed vendor, or if you require access to the functionality and performance gains offered by the Squiz MySource Matrix modules.

Q) Can I swap between the GPL and the SSV version?

Yes you may upgrade to the SSV version from the GPL version, by purchasing a licence. Please contact Squiz for details.

Please note that it is not possible to swap from the SSV to the GPL version, which means that once you have the SSV version, you are always bound by the SSV licence and may not redistribute the software – unless you specifically ask Squiz to downgrade your system by un-installing the SSV modules.

Q) Who owns the software and documentation?

Squiz is the primary authors and copyright holders of the code for MySource Matrix. This ownership is what allows us to licence the software under both the GPL and SSV licences. If you make any modifications to the software you will own those modifications, unless you agree to assign the copyright to Squiz.

Squiz only accepts contributions to the MySource Matrix project with copyright assignment, to ensure there are no complications with our dual licensing business model.

To ensure proper warranty services are provided, Squiz requests that the copyright of any modifications made to the SSV software be assigned to Squiz.

Q) Can I copy or distribute the software and documentation?

Yes, but only if you are using the GPL version. If you copy or distribute the GPL software or documentation, you must do so under the GPL licence and give recipients all the rights that you have - please read the GPL licence for the full conditions. If you are using the SSV version you may not distribute either the software or the documentation – please read the SSV licence agreement for details.

Q) Can I make any modifications to the software and documentation?

Yes. You are free to make modifications to both the GPL and SSV versions of MySource Matrix, but please be aware that this is likely to void any warranties for the software offered to you by Squiz, unless you assign copyright for the modifications to Squiz.

You should also be aware that if you make modifications to the SSV version of MySource Matrix you may not re-distribute those modifications as they are governed by the SSV licence which prohibits distribution. For more detailed information on this question, please speak to Squiz so we may provide an answer that matches your circumstances.

Q) What warranty applies to MySource Matrix?

The GPL (free) version has no warranty whatsoever. You are encouraged to submit bugs through the channels provided on the MySource Matrix website, but Squiz has no obligation to repair any issues you may raise.

The SSV version has a 30 day warranty from the date of purchase. The conditions of the warranty are explained in the SSV licence. Please note that if required, you can extend the 30 day warranty through a Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Q) Is support included in the SSV licence?

Apart from the warranty described above, the SSV version does not include any support. Help desk and other support must be purchased separately using Support Packs.

Q) Can I install multiple copies of MySource Matrix for testing purposes?

If you are using the GPL version you may install multiple copies of MySource Matrix. If you are using the SSV version, you may install an additional copy for testing purposes. However, please note that running a hot-standby system for system failover purposes or as a development server is not considered a test copy and you would need to purchase a separate SSV licence for this purpose.