Proposal to Change License from MIT to AGPL3

[marvin1099]

Proposal to Change License from MIT to AGPL

Dear Contributors and Users,

After discussions among the maintainers, we are considering a change in the licensing of our codebase from the MIT License to the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL). This potential change aims to ensure that our project remains free and accessible while providing additional protections for our community.

INFO: The poll is fished and was accepted: read here

Reasons for the Proposed Change:

1. Preservation of Freedom: The AGPL ensures that the code remains free for all users, reinforcing our commitment to an open-source ethos. This change would encourage contributions and adaptations that benefit the entire community.

2. Prevention of Commercial Abuse: By moving to AGPL, we aim to prevent companies from using our code in proprietary software without contributing back. This license requires that any modifications made to our codebase must also be shared with the community, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared knowledge.

3. Encouraging Contributions: With the AGPL in place, contributors can feel more secure that their work will not be exploited by commercial entities. This can encourage more developers to contribute, knowing that their efforts will benefit the entire community rather than being appropriated for profit.

4. User Freedom: The AGPL mandates that users who interact with the software over a network must be granted access to the source code. This means that users of the software have the right to modify and share it, further enhancing transparency and user rights.

5. Alignment with Community Values: As our project grows, aligning our licensing with our community values becomes increasingly important. The AGPL reflects a commitment to ensuring that the software remains a tool for everyone and not just a few.

We value your opinion and want to ensure that all community members have a voice in this decision. Please take a moment to participate in the poll at the bottom.

Your feedback is crucial as we navigate this potential transition. The poll will remain open for at least to the middle (15th) of
November and may be extended, and we will share the results afterward.

Thank you for your continued support, your contributions and your use of the launcher!

INFO: The poll is fished and was accepted: read here

[marvin1099]

License Change Announcement

The poll regarding the proposed license change of the WeMod Launcher has concluded.

Initially, I considered extending the poll to the end of 2024 and even added a notice about it, but after discussions with the contributors, we reached a consensus: this change aligns with the goals of the project.

This is no longer just a suggestion; it is now a confirmed plan (was a plan). The license of this repository has officially been changed to AGPL-3.0, as the proposal was merged into the main branch on December 1, 2024.

Poll Results

The results of the poll were as follows:

• Yes, I fully support the change to AGPL: 2 votes (100%)

Although only two people participated, it’s clear that everyone who voted supports the change.

Reflection on the Poll

If you feel the poll could have garnered more responses by being left open longer, here are some facts to consider:

• The poll was open for approximately 40 days.
• Most votes were received within the first 5 days.
• Based on participation, it seems there wasn’t significant interest in the license decision, and it’s unlikely that leaving the poll open longer would have changed the outcome.

I’m confident that those who cared about this decision have already shared their opinions.

Moving Forward

As a free software enthusiast, I’m thrilled to see this project transition to a model that ensures it remains free (as in freedom) for its users. Thank you to everyone who participated in this process and supported this move toward a more user-focused and freedom-preserving license.

Have a wonderful day, and thank you for being part of this journey!