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Zimbra Licensing FAQ
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How is the Open Source Edition of the Zimbra Collaboration Suite licensed?
The Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) Open Source Edition is available in both source code and binary or executable formats. As of ZCS Version 5.0, Release Candidate 1 and ZCS 4.5.8, the binary version is licensed under an updated Zimbra Public End-User License Agreement (the Zimbra Public EULA). As of ZCS Version 5.0, Release Candidate 1 and ZCS 4.5.8, the source code version is now licensed under the Yahoo! Public License (YPL).
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What is the YPL?
Starting Oct 3, 2007, all Open Source Edition source code releases of ZCS will be made available under the Yahoo! Public License (YPL) and not under ZPL or MPL. The YPL is a community-friendly source code license. Anyone who downloads ZCS Open Source Edition source code is covered by the YPL gets to use the code under that license. It grants you the right to use, modify, and redistribute the source code and modifications thereof, all free of charge. It is a simple license, and we think it is straightforward and easy to understand.
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I'm currently only using the binary release of the ZCS Open Source Edition, because I haven't needed to make any of my own modifications yet. What is changing for me?
While the underlying end-user license agreement (EULA) for the binary versions of ZCS Open Source Edition is being revised, we do not foresee any impact on you. If and when you choose to upgrade to a new release of ZCS (you are under no obligation to do so), you will find the new Zimbra Public EULA maintains your right to copy, use, and redistribute the ZCS Open Source Edition binaries, all of course free of charge. As before, the Zimbra Public EULA is a community friendly license for the executables of a composite software stack like Zimbra that integrates numerous best-of-breed open source technologies. Moreover, the source code licensing terms of the YPL (or ZPL, for that matter) do not affect your use of the ZCS binary software.
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I'm currently a subscriber to the ZCS Network Edition. What is changing for me?
Nothing. Zimbra is continuing to use the identical subscription license for its commercial paying (a.k.a. Network Edition) customers. The ZCS Network Edition is licensed under both the Zimbra Network Edition Evaluation License for free trials, and the Zimbra Network Edition License Agreement for customers that choose to purchase a subscription. These licenses have not changed as a result of the Yahoo! acquisition of Zimbra.
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I'm currently using the source code of the ZCS Open Source Edition to make my own binary release of ZCS. (Or else I want to know that I will be able to if and when I need to do so.) What is changing for me?
While the underlying open source license is changing, we do not foresee any impact on you… If and when you choose to upgrade to a new release of ZCS (you are, of course, under no obligation to do so), you will find that the terms of the YPL are very similar to those of the Zimbra Public License (ZPL) under which you used to use the software.
Under both the YPL and the ZPL, Zimbra community members can get the ZCS source code. They are free to redistribute either the source or their binary versions, and they are free to make modifications to the ZCS source code and then create their own binary versions, either for their own use or redistribution to third parties. All under a royalty free license.
Under both the YPL and ZPL, modifications to the Zimbra Collaboration Suite must include published source code, so that the greater Zimbra community receives the benefit of any value-added innovations added within the Zimbra Collaboration Suite—that is, both YPL and ZPL require source code licensing for modifications of ZCS.
And under both YPL and ZPL, Zimbra community members may create their own open source or proprietary value-added extensions and customizations to the Zimbra Collaboration Suite, without worrying that they must publish those additions in open source. Both YPL and ZPL allow any separable additions/extensions (i.e., those included in new files that do not include any ZCS code) to be licensed under any terms the author sees fit. We see allowing closed-source value-added extensions to be a good thing for the greater Zimbra community by easily allowing tighter integration between Zimbra and commercial software, for example proprietary anti-spam and anti-virus solutions. Finally, both YPL and ZPL require the preservation of copyright and attribution notices within the software, including the preservation of trademark attribution within the end-user interfaces.
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When is the change to the ZCS source code licensing taking effect?
We are changing the licensing terms for future source code releases of the ZCS Open Source Edition that had previously been licensed under the Zimbra Public License (ZPL).
All source code releases of ZCS prior to October 3, 2007 are not affected (that includes all versions numbered less than 4.5.8 as well as all 5.0 Alpha/Beta versions released prior to 5.0 Release Candidate RC1). All new versions of the source code released by Zimbra on or after October 3, 2007 will be available under the Yahoo! Public License (YPL), which includes 4.5.8 and successors thereof, and 5.0RC1 and successors thereof, as well as major new versions to be released in the coming months and years.
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Are you changing the ZCS to a closed-source product?
No. We are continuing to offer the Zimbra Open Source Edition, both in source code and binary formats, for use and redistribution as you see fit, all free of charge.
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When must modifications to the Zimbra Collaboration Suite source code be published under YPL?
The YPL allows everyone freely to make copies and modifications (a.k.a. derivative works) and to distribute them, on condition that anyone who distributes modifications must make the source code under the terms of YPL.
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Can I continue to use ZCS Open Source Edition binaries I already have?
Yes, of course! The terms under which you received your binary copy of ZCS were perpetual and remain in effect.
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Can I continue to use ZCS Open Source Edition source code I already have?
Yes, of course! All prior Open Source Edition source code releases before Oct 3, 2007 were licensed under the ZPL. Starting with 4.5.8 and 5.0 RC1, we are licensing the Open Source Edition source code under YPL. Because the versions prior to October 3, 2007 (4.5.7 and before plus the 5.0 Alpha/Beta drops prior to 5.0RC1) were licensed previously under ZPL, the rights that Zimbra granted in those prior versions do not suddenly stop—although the rights were granted to you by Zimbra in the past, those grants were perpetual.
Going forward, however, Zimbra will be offering all new releases of the ZCS Open Source Edition source code under the YPL. If and when you choose to upgrade to a newer release of the source code, then you will need to take the code under YPL rather than ZPL.
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Suppose I still want to get the older versions of the ZCS Open Source Edition source code under the ZPL. Where did they go?
They are alive and well on SourceForge.
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Suppose I still want to get the older versions of the ZCS Open Source Edition binaries. Where did they go?
They are alive and well on SourceForge.
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How can I participate in the Zimbra Community?
Zimbra and Yahoo! remain committed to growing the vibrant and creative community of developers, system administrators, users, and customers that have sprung up around the Zimbra Collaboration Suite. For example, prior to the Yahoo! acquisition of Zimbra, participation in the Zimbra Forums reached 10,000 members! The Yahoo! team very much welcomes your participation in the Zimbra community. You can learn more about our philosophy, our community activities, and our contributor policies and procedures at www.zimbra.com/community/.
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How can I make community contributions?
You are still very much encouraged to volunteer to contribute your modifications and enhancements for ZCS back to the greater Zimbra community. If you do decide to contribute, you will need to agree to our contribution terms. But these terms have not changed -- we are using an equivalent contribution agreement to that which we used for the earlier ZCS releases made under the ZPL. You can also still make contributions to those older ZCS versions on SourceForge, and you can redistribute those modified versions under ZPL. However, Zimbra will not be enhancing or maintaining those prior versions going forward.
- How is the Open Source Edition of the Zimbra Collaboration Suite licensed?
- The Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) Open Source Edition is available in both source code and binary or executable formats. The binary version is licensed under Zimbra Public End-User License Agreement (the Zimbra Public EULA). As of ZCS Version 5.0, Release Candidate 1 and ZCS 4.5.8, the source code version is now licensed under the Yahoo! Public License (YPL).
- What is the YPL?
- Starting Oct 3, 2007, all Open Source Edition source code releases of ZCS will be made available under the Yahoo! Public License (YPL) and not under ZPL or MPL. The YPL is a community-friendly source code license. Anyone who downloads ZCS Open Source Edition source code is covered by the YPL gets to use the code under that license. It grants a royalty free right to use, modify, and redistribute the source code and modifications thereof. It is a simple license, and we think it is straightforward and easy to understand.
- I'm currently only using the binary release of the ZCS Open Source Edition, because I haven't needed to make any of my own modifications yet. What is changing for me?
- We do not foresee any impact whatsoever on you. The ZCS Open Source Edition binaries are and will continue to be available under the same royalty-free terms for your own use or for redistribution as you see fit. Moreover, the source code licensing terms of the YPL (or ZPL, for that matter) do not affect your use of the ZCS binary software.
- I'm currently a subscriber to the ZCS Network Edition. What is changing for me?
- Nothing. Zimbra is continuing to use the identical subscription license for its commercial paying (a.k.a. Network Edition) customers. The ZCS Network Edition is licensed under both the Zimbra Network Edition Evaluation License for free trials, and the Zimbra Network Edition License Agreement for customers that choose to purchase a subscription. These licenses have not changed as a result of the Yahoo! acquisition of Zimbra.
- I'm currently using the source code of the ZCS Open Source Edition to make my own binary release of ZCS. (Or else I want to know that I will be able to if and when I need to do so.) What is changing for me?
- While the underlying open source license is changing, we do not foresee any impact on you… If and when you choose to upgrade to a new release of ZCS (you are, of course, under no obligation to do so), you will find that the terms of the YPL are very similar to those of the Zimbra Public License (ZPL) under which you used to use the software.
- Under both the YPL and the ZPL, Zimbra community members can get the ZCS source code. They are free to redistribute either the source or their binary versions, and they are free to make modifications to the ZCS source code and then create their own binary versions, either for their own use or redistribution to third parties. All under a royalty free license.
- Under both the YPL and ZPL, modifications to the Zimbra Collaboration Suite must include published source code, so that the greater Zimbra community receives the benefit of any value-added innovations added within the Zimbra Collaboration Suite—that is, both YPL and ZPL require source code licensing for modifications of ZCS.
- And under both YPL and ZPL, Zimbra community members may create their own open source or proprietary value-added extensions and customizations to the Zimbra Collaboration Suite, without worrying that they must publish those additions in open source. Both YPL and ZPL allow any separable additions/extensions (i.e., those included in new files that do not include any ZCS code) to be licensed under any terms the author sees fit. We see allowing closed-source value-added extensions to be a good thing for the greater Zimbra community by easily allowing tighter integration between Zimbra and commercial software, for example proprietary anti-spam and anti-virus solutions. Finally, both YPL and ZPL require the preservation of copyright and attribution notices within the software, including the preservation of trademark attribution within the end-user interfaces.
- When is the change to the ZCS source code licensing taking effect?
- We are changing the licensing terms for future source code releases of the ZCS Open Source Edition that had previously been licensed under the Zimbra Public License (ZPL).
- All source code releases of ZCS prior to October 3, 2007 are not affected (that includes all versions numbered less than 4.5.8 as well as all 5.0 Alpha/Beta versions released prior to 5.0 Release Candidate RC1). All new versions of the source code released by Zimbra on or after October 3, 2007 will be available under the Yahoo! Public License (YPL), which includes 4.5.8 and successors thereof, and 5.0RC1 and successors thereof, as well as major new versions to be released in the coming months and years.
- Are you changing the ZCS to a closed-source product?
- No. We are continuing to offer the Zimbra Open Source Edition, both in source code and binary formats, for use and redistribution under a royalty-free license.
- When must modifications to the Zimbra Collaboration Suite source code be published under YPL?
- The YPL allows everyone freely to make copies and modifications (a.k.a. derivative works) and to distribute them, on condition that anyone who distributes modifications must make the source code under the terms of YPL.
- Can I continue to use ZCS Open Source Edition binaries I already have?
- Yes, of course! The terms under which you received your binary copy of ZCS were perpetual and remain in effect.
- Can I continue to use ZCS Open Source Edition source code I already have?
- Yes, of course! All prior Open Source Edition source code releases before Oct 3, 2007 were licensed under the ZPL. Starting with 4.5.8 and 5.0 RC1, we are licensing the Open Source Edition source code under YPL. Because the versions prior to October 3, 2007 (4.5.7 and before plus the 5.0 Alpha/Beta drops prior to 5.0RC1) were licensed previously under ZPL, the rights that Zimbra granted in those prior versions do not suddenly stop—although the rights were granted to you by Zimbra in the past, those grants were perpetual.
- Going forward, however, Zimbra will be offering all new releases of the ZCS Open Source Edition source code under the YPL. If and when you choose to upgrade to a newer release of the source code, then you will need to take the code under YPL rather than ZPL.
- Suppose I still want to get the older versions of the ZCS Open Source Edition source code under the ZPL. Where did they go?
- They are alive and well on SourceForge.
- Suppose I still want to get the older versions of the ZCS Open Source Edition binaries. Where did they go?
- They are alive and well on SourceForge.
- How can I participate in the Zimbra Community?
- Zimbra and Yahoo! remain committed to growing the vibrant and creative community of developers, system administrators, users, and customers that have sprung up around the Zimbra Collaboration Suite. For example, prior to the Yahoo! acquisition of Zimbra, participation in the Zimbra Forums reached 10,000 members! The Yahoo! team very much welcomes your participation in the Zimbra community. You can learn more about our philosophy, our community activities, and our contributor policies and procedures at www.zimbra.com/community/.
- How can I make community contributions?
- You are still very much encouraged to volunteer to contribute your modifications and enhancements for ZCS back to the greater Zimbra community. If you do decide to contribute, you will need to agree to our contribution terms. But these terms have not changed -- we are using an equivalent contribution agreement to that which we used for the earlier ZCS releases made under the ZPL. You can also still make contributions to those older ZCS versions on SourceForge, and you can redistribute those modified versions under ZPL. However, Zimbra will not be enhancing or maintaining those prior versions going forward.
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