---
title: "Open Source in Finance Podcast: Understanding Copyleft - Aaron Williamson"
description: "On this episode of the podcast we talk open source readiness, compliance, and how to understand the copyleft license. Copyleft licenses like the GNU GPL come with a higher compliance burden than more permissive licenses, because they require licensees to provide source code to recipients -- sometimes just for the open source component, and sometimes for any derivative work produced by the licensee. These licenses therefore raise the thorniest issues of license compliance.\n \n \nEpisode show notes are available below."
image: https://www.finos.org/hubfs/finos-osinfinance.png
---
[](https://finos.org)
- [Projects](https://www.finos.org/projects)
- [Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://ai.finos.org/)
- [Common Domain Model (CDM)](https://www.finos.org/common-domain-model)
- [FDC3](https://www.finos.org/fdc3)
- [Fluxnova](https://fluxnova.finos.org)
- [FINOS Common Cloud Controls](https://www.finos.org/common-cloud-controls-project)
- [High Performance Computing (HPC)](https://hpc.finos.org)
- [OSERA](https://osera.finos.org/)
- [Open Source Readiness Initiative](https://www.finos.org/open-source-readiness)
- [OS-Climate](https://www.finos.org/os-climate)
- [Try our Projects](https://www.finos.org/project-sandbox)
- [All Projects Landscape](https://landscape.finos.org/)
- [Community](https://www.finos.org/engage-with-our-community)
- [FINOS Community Calendar](https://www.finos.org/calendar)
- [Community Quickstart](https://www.finos.org/get-involved)
- [FINOS Community Site](https://community.finos.org/)
- [Contribute](https://community.finos.org/docs/governance/Software-Projects/contribution)
- [Unable to Contribute?](https://www.finos.org/open-source-readiness)
- [Join our Slack channel](https://finos-lf.slack.com/messages/finos-community/)
- [Recognize a contributor](https://github.com/finos/community/issues/new?assignees=mcleo-d&labels=community-recognition&template=Community-Recognition.md&title=FINOS+Community+Recognition)
- [Ambassador Program](https://www.finos.org/ambassador-program)
- [Membership](https://www.finos.org/membership-benefits)
- [Members](https://www.finos.org/members)
- [Inquire](https://www.finos.org/membership-benefits#become-a-member)
- [Join](https://joinnow.platform.linuxfoundation.org/?project=finos)
- [Member ROI Summary & Calculator](https://www.finos.org/roi-report-calculator)
- [Dependency Consumption Analysis](https://www.finos.org/dependency-consumption-analysis)
- Resources
- [2025 Mission & Vision](https://www.finos.org/2024-in-review-2025-vision)
- [Research & Case Studies](https://www.finos.org/research-case-studies)
- [Training](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/finos/)
- [Open Source Maturity Model](https://osr.finos.org/docs/bok/OSMM/Introduction)
- [Contributions Live Dashboard](https://metrics.finos.org)
- [Our Github Organization](https://github.com/finos/)
- [Our Developer Toolchain](https://odp.finos.org/)
- [FINOS Store](https://store-finos.myshopify.com/)
- News & Events
- [This Week At FINOS](https://www.finos.org/this-week-at-finos)
- [Community Blog](https://www.finos.org/blog)
- [Newsletter](https://www.finos.org/newsletter)
- [Podcast: Open Source in Finance](https://www.finos.org/open-source-in-finance-podcast)
- [Press Releases](https://www.finos.org/press)
- [FINOS Events](https://www.finos.org/hosted-events)
- [Community Events](https://www.finos.org/featured-events)
- [Community Spotlight](https://www.finos.org/community-spotlight)
- [Stay Informed](https://www.finos.org/sign-up)
- [About](https://www.finos.org/about-us)
- [Stay Informed](https://www.finos.org/sign-up)
- [FAQs](https://www.finos.org/faq)
- [Contact Us](https://www.finos.org/contact-us)
- [Governing Board](https://www.finos.org/governing-board)
- [Technical Oversight Committee](https://www.finos.org/technical-oversight-committee)
- [Team](https://www.finos.org/team)
- [Governance](https://www.finos.org/governance)
- [Code of Conduct](https://www.finos.org/code-of-conduct)
- [OSFF + Videos](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-finance-forum)
- [OSFF 2026](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-finance-forum/)
- [OSFF Toronto 2026 Videos](https://www.finos.org/osff-toronto-2026-videos)
- [OSFF New York 2025 Videos](https://www.finos.org/osff-nyc-2025-videos)
- [OSFF London 2026 Videos](https://www.finos.org/osff-london-2026-videos)
- [apidays Paris 2025 Videos](https://www.finos.org/apidays)
- [Projects](https://www.finos.org/projects)
- [Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://ai.finos.org/)
- [Common Domain Model (CDM)](https://www.finos.org/common-domain-model)
- [FDC3](https://www.finos.org/fdc3)
- [Fluxnova](https://fluxnova.finos.org)
- [FINOS Common Cloud Controls](https://www.finos.org/common-cloud-controls-project)
- [High Performance Computing (HPC)](https://hpc.finos.org)
- [OSERA](https://osera.finos.org/)
- [Open Source Readiness Initiative](https://www.finos.org/open-source-readiness)
- [OS-Climate](https://www.finos.org/os-climate)
- [Try our Projects](https://www.finos.org/project-sandbox)
- [All Projects Landscape](https://landscape.finos.org/)
- [Community](https://www.finos.org/engage-with-our-community)
- [FINOS Community Calendar](https://www.finos.org/calendar)
- [Community Quickstart](https://www.finos.org/get-involved)
- [FINOS Community Site](https://community.finos.org/)
- [Contribute](https://community.finos.org/docs/governance/Software-Projects/contribution)
- [Unable to Contribute?](https://www.finos.org/open-source-readiness)
- [Join our Slack channel](https://finos-lf.slack.com/messages/finos-community/)
- [Recognize a contributor](https://github.com/finos/community/issues/new?assignees=mcleo-d&labels=community-recognition&template=Community-Recognition.md&title=FINOS+Community+Recognition)
- [Ambassador Program](https://www.finos.org/ambassador-program)
- [Membership](https://www.finos.org/membership-benefits)
- [Members](https://www.finos.org/members)
- [Inquire](https://www.finos.org/membership-benefits#become-a-member)
- [Join](https://joinnow.platform.linuxfoundation.org/?project=finos)
- [Member ROI Summary & Calculator](https://www.finos.org/roi-report-calculator)
- [Dependency Consumption Analysis](https://www.finos.org/dependency-consumption-analysis)
- Resources
- [2025 Mission & Vision](https://www.finos.org/2024-in-review-2025-vision)
- [Research & Case Studies](https://www.finos.org/research-case-studies)
- [Training](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/finos/)
- [Open Source Maturity Model](https://osr.finos.org/docs/bok/OSMM/Introduction)
- [Contributions Live Dashboard](https://metrics.finos.org)
- [Our Github Organization](https://github.com/finos/)
- [Our Developer Toolchain](https://odp.finos.org/)
- [FINOS Store](https://store-finos.myshopify.com/)
- News & Events
- [This Week At FINOS](https://www.finos.org/this-week-at-finos)
- [Community Blog](https://www.finos.org/blog)
- [Newsletter](https://www.finos.org/newsletter)
- [Podcast: Open Source in Finance](https://www.finos.org/open-source-in-finance-podcast)
- [Press Releases](https://www.finos.org/press)
- [FINOS Events](https://www.finos.org/hosted-events)
- [Community Events](https://www.finos.org/featured-events)
- [Community Spotlight](https://www.finos.org/community-spotlight)
- [Stay Informed](https://www.finos.org/sign-up)
- [About](https://www.finos.org/about-us)
- [Stay Informed](https://www.finos.org/sign-up)
- [FAQs](https://www.finos.org/faq)
- [Contact Us](https://www.finos.org/contact-us)
- [Governing Board](https://www.finos.org/governing-board)
- [Technical Oversight Committee](https://www.finos.org/technical-oversight-committee)
- [Team](https://www.finos.org/team)
- [Governance](https://www.finos.org/governance)
- [Code of Conduct](https://www.finos.org/code-of-conduct)
- [OSFF + Videos](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-finance-forum)
- [OSFF 2026](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-finance-forum/)
- [OSFF Toronto 2026 Videos](https://www.finos.org/osff-toronto-2026-videos)
- [OSFF New York 2025 Videos](https://www.finos.org/osff-nyc-2025-videos)
- [OSFF London 2026 Videos](https://www.finos.org/osff-london-2026-videos)
- [apidays Paris 2025 Videos](https://www.finos.org/apidays)
# Community Blog
# Open Source in Finance Podcast: Understanding Copyleft - Aaron Williamson
August 15, 2021
[Grizz Griswold](https://www.finos.org/blog/author/grizz-griswold)
On this episode of the podcast we talk open source readiness, compliance, and how to understand the copyleft license. Copyleft licenses like the GNU GPL come with a higher compliance burden than more permissive licenses, because they require licensees to provide source code to recipients -- sometimes just for the open source component, and sometimes for any derivative work produced by the licensee. These licenses therefore raise the thorniest issues of license compliance.
Episode show notes are available below.
Find all of our podcasts at [**Anchor.fm**](https://anchor.fm/finos), [**Apple Podcasts**](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finos-open-source-in-fintech-podcast/id1512371068), [**Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/show/431XdfX2fBdCUsopwh8td3), and all podcast platforms.
-=-=-=-=-
### SHOW NOTES
**In this podcast, FINOS Open Source Readiness lead Aaron Williamson discusses:**
- **What is a derivative work of a software project**
- **What constitutes distribution under copyright law**
- **Incompatibility issues between copyleft and other licenses**
- **The differences between GPL versions 2 and 3**
**Aaron Williamson:** [**williamson.legal**](https://www.akwlc.com/)
**PDF slides to follow along:** [**https://www.finos.org/hubfs/OSR%20Meeting%202020-07-21.pdf**](https://www.finos.org/hubfs/OSR%20Meeting%202020-07-21.pdf)
**Video version:** [**https://www.finos.org/blog/understanding-copyleft-aaron-williamson**](https://www.finos.org/blog/understanding-copyleft-aaron-williamson)
**FINOS Open Source License Compliance Handbook:** [**https://www.finos.org/open-source-license-compliance-handbook**](https://www.finos.org/open-source-license-compliance-handbook)
[**Open Source Strategy Forum - https://bit.ly/3l2cs3n**](https://bit.ly/3l2cs3n)
[**Members Meeting & OSSF London - 4-5 October - https://bit.ly/3x2JX8c**](https://bit.ly/3x2JX8c)
[**Members Meeting & OSSF NYC - 9-10 November - https://bit.ly/2TCETJV**](https://bit.ly/2TCETJV)
►► [**FINOS Store**](https://store-finos.myshopify.com/)**(use code****FINOSWELCOME20 for 20% off)****|** [**Become A Contributor**](https://github.com/finos/community/blob/master/governance/Software-Projects/Contribution.md)
►► [**Visit FINOS www.finos.org**](https://www.finos.org/)
►► [**Get In Touch: info@finos.org**](mailto:info@finos.org)
-=-=-=-=-
### About the Open Source in FINANCE Podcast
The FINOS Open Source in Finance Podcast celebrates open source projects and interesting topics at the cross section of financial services and open source. So far, our industry experts have discussed practical applications of and their real-world experiences with a range of open source projects including desktop interoperability, low code platforms, synthetic data, and data modeling. They’ve also discussed best practices for inner source, common myths about open source and why commercial companies choose to introduce open source offerings. Tune in and subscribe to hear what comes next.
►►[**Visit here for more FINOS Events**](https://finos.org/hosted-events)
►►Visit the [**FINOS website**](https://finos.org/) and [**Get Involved**](https://finos.org/get-involved\))
►►**Join us for the FINOS & Linux Foundation Open Source Strategy Forum (OSSF)**
[**London**](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-strategy-forum-london/) **|** [**New York**](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-strategy-forum-new-york/)
►►**Listen to all of our podcasts on these platforms as well as others:** [**Apple Podcasts **](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finos-open-source-in-fintech-podcast/id1512371068)| [**Anchor.fm **](https://anchor.fm/finos)| [**Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/show/431XdfX2fBdCUsopwh8td3)
Check it out, subscribe, and don’t forget to rate us (5 stars)!
**Interested in this FINOS open source project, or any of our other projects? Click the link below to see how to get involved in the FINOS Community.**
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2419532/89037a0a-24fa-4ef5-bbf8-34d9a45ea1d3)
[**This Week at FINOS Blog**](https://finos.org/this-week-at-finos?utm_campaign=20210312%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo) - See what is happening at FINOS each week.
[**FINOS Landscape**](https://landscape.finos.org/?utm_campaign=20210312%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo) - See our landscape of FINOS open source and open standard projects.
[**Community Calendar **](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=finos.org_fac8mo1rfc6ehscg0d80fi8jig%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FNew_York&utm_campaign=20210312%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo)- Scroll through the calendar to find a meeting to join.
[**FINOS Slack Channels**](https://finos.org/blog/finos-announces-new-community-slack?utm_campaign=20210428%20-%20FINOS%20All%20Community%20Call%20-%20Q2%202021&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo) - The FINOS Slack provides our Community another public channel to discuss work in FINOS and open source in finance more generally.
[**Project Status Dashboard**](https://metrics.finos.org/goto/7bfcb03f027a1406c997d731d4715ea7?utm_campaign=20210312%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo) - See a live snapshot of our community contributors and activity.
[**Events**](https://finos.org/news-and-events?utm_campaign=20210312%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo) - Check out our upcoming events or email [**marketing@finos.org**](mailto:marketing@finos.org) if you'd like to partner with us or have an event idea.
[**FINOS Virtual "Meetups" Videos & Slides**](https://finos.org/knowledge-base?utm_campaign=20210312%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo#finos-event-videos) - See replays of our virtual "meetups" based around the FINOS Community and Projects since we can't all be in the same room right now.
[**FINOS Open Source in Finance Podcasts**](https://anchor.fm/finos?utm_campaign=20210428%20-%20FINOS%20All%20Community%20Call%20-%20Q2%202021&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Zgn2rjI2nlAwd4d3Mf5LKC8CmqUJ1wzZYFYOTKgWIuCxaowceMq1Y0ZiFrWPAcWoelavo) - Listen and subscribe to the first open source in fintech and banking podcasts for deeper dives on our virtual "meetup" and other topics.
### Share this:
- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)
[← Open Source in Finance Podcast: FINOS Debrief 5 August 21](https://www.finos.org/blog/open-source-in-finance-podcast-finos-debrief-5-august-21)
[Open Source in Finance Podcast: FINOS Debrief 20 August 21 →](https://www.finos.org/blog/open-source-in-finance-podcast-finos-debrief-20-august-21)
[](https://www.finos.org/)
[](https://twitter.com/finosfoundation) [](https://finos.github.io) [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/finosfoundation) [](https://www.slideshare.net/finosfoundation) [](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJAdRALzJ7J7snubrb_Y-Q)
[Contact Us](https://www.finos.org/contact-us)
[info@finos.org](mailto:info@finos.org)
+1 (650) 665-9773
[Privacy | ](https://www.finos.org/privacy-policy)[Terms of Service |](https://www.finos.org/terms-of-service)[Community Code of Conduct |](https://www.finos.org/code-of-conduct)[Email Preferences](https://www.finos.org/hs/manage-preferences/unsubscribe-simple)
