Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

There is a difference. Wikipedia and many open source projects cannot forcibly switch to paid model, because they are currently giving their content away under CC-BY or GPL and you can keep a copy of it. If they started charging, you can fork the project and continue charge-free.

Google maps API is a service controlled by Google. You cannot replicate it and keep using it if Google changes its mind about the licensing.



What makes you think a irrationally protectionist French court isn't going to issue an order changing the licensing terms of Wikipedia's content?




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: