The Origin of the “MIT License”

Citation: Jerome H. Saltzer The Origin of the “MIT License”.
Internet Archive Scholar (search for fulltext): The Origin of the “MIT License”
Wikidata (metadata): Q104641915
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Summary

First hand account with documentation of the creation of software licenses of a lineage that would become known as the MIT license. MIT researchers wanted to maximize adoption of networking programs they developed, thus minimize licensing friction. Competitive research groups required signed contracts. TCP/IP and X Windows did win, and indirectly attracted funding to MIT, more than would have been obtained through license fees.