x/pkgsite: Allow Beerware License for packages #73400
Description
I’d like to request the inclusion of the Beerware License in the list of approved licenses on pkg.go.dev. While the Beerware License is unconventional, it embodies the spirit of open-source—simplicity, trust, and developer goodwill. Below, I present a rationale that aligns with both the values of the Go community and the practical goals of pkg.go.dev.
1. The Beerware License is Permissive and Compatible with Open Source Values
The Beerware License is, in essence, a very permissive open-source license. It allows anyone to use, modify, and redistribute the software for any purpose, provided they retain the original copyright notice. This aligns directly with the freedoms defined by the Open Source Definition, even if the license itself is not OSI-approved.
Importantly, the license does not impose copyleft conditions, commercial restrictions, or limitations on derivative works. It’s a public-domain-equivalent license with a friendly, human touch.
2. Legally Simple and Human-Readable
The license's brevity—just one or two lines—makes it easily understandable to developers of all backgrounds. While it may lack legalese, its intent is clear and has stood the test of time. In an era where simplicity is often overlooked in licensing, the Beerware License remains refreshingly direct and approachable.
This simplicity is not a weakness, but a strength: it reduces friction in code sharing, encourages code reuse, and fosters community spirit—all values dear to the Go ecosystem.
3. Widespread Historical
Use and respected developers, including Poul-Henning Kamp, a core Freebsd contributor, have used Precedent The Beerware License. It has gained informal recognition over decades as a "community license", especially in low-friction, high-collaboration contexts like academia, hobby projects, and rapid prototyping.
Despite its informal tone, it has not created significant legal controversy or ambiguity in practice. This is evidenced by its continued presence in public repositories, developer tools, and educational projects.
4. pkg.go.Dev should embrace the Spectrum of Permissive Licensing.
While pkg.go.dev's policy appropriately prioritises OSI-approved and widely accepted licenses, there is also value in supporting the broader spectrum of community-driven licenses that meet the same functional criteria.
The Beerware License:
- Grants irrevocable rights to use and redistribute.
- Requires preservation of attribution.
- Does not introduce harmful or viral clauses.
There are many open-source developers, especially in the Go community, who favour minimalism and personal expression. The Beerware License is often chosen intentionally for these reasons, and excluding it limits the visibility of otherwise valuable and compatible Go packages.
5. Practical Benefits for pkg.go.dev and the Go Ecosystem
Allowing the Beerware License:
- Encourages contributions from independent and minimalist developers.
- Promotes trust and cultural inclusivity in the Go community.
- Ensures high-quality Go modules are not hidden from public searchability due to license constraints.
- This is especially important as Go continues to grow as a language for tooling, experimentation, and distributed systems—fields where many developers gravitate toward lightweight licenses like Beerware.
Conclusion
Inclusion of the Beerware License on pkg.go.dev would:
- Uphold the open, inclusive, and collaborative spirit of Go.
- Encourage contributions without legal barriers or institutional overhead.
- Reflect the real-world practices of thousands of developers who value freedom through simplicity.