The role of software licenses in open architecture ecosystems

Abstract

Abstract. The role of software ecosystems in the development and evolution of open architecture systems has received insufficient consideration. Such systems are composed of heterogeneously-licensed components, open source or proprietary or both, in an architecture in which evolution can occur by evolving existing components or by replacing them. The software licenses of the components both facilitate and constrain the system’s ecosystem, and the rights and duties of the licenses are crucial in producing an acceptable system. We discuss software ecosystems of open architecture systems from the perspective of an architect or an acquisition organization, and outline how our automated tool and environment help address their challenges, support reuse, and assist in managing coevolution and component interdependence. 1