Licensing question

[Crank]

So let me get this straight. I can release libraries, since that is not source correct? I want to be able to sell the engine on my own terms. But I want to be able to sell the full source for commercial use type thing. Once they buy the source its under zlib for them? So I can still charge for it?

[Dorth]

If you don't want to release your code under zlib and sell it, then LINK with irrlicht. This way irrlicht remains zlib, but your code isn't. If you only distribute headers with libs (and dlls), then you don't have to care at all, only when you release source should you isolate irrlicht if you plan to make money out of it.

[Crank]

This was supposed to be a part of my other post >< But thanks. As long as my project still works out.

[rogerborg]

The only things that you are obliged to do if you distribute a work that uses Irrlicht are:

1) Acknowledge somewhere in your documentation that your product uses the work of the Independent JPEG Group. And that's their license terms, not Irrlicht's.

2) If you choose to distribute Irrlicht source - and nothing obliges you to do so - then it must retain the original copyrights and zlib-style license, and any alterations that you make must be marked - and the main reason for that is for your benefit, so that you can put a different license on your modifications.

You also can't claim that you wrote the original Irrlicht source, but since you're not obliged to even acknowledge that you're using it, that's not an issue.

The Irrlicht license is "free" rather than "Free". It's less restrictive than GPL or LGPL, and is fully compatible with commercial products. There's no sneaky gotchas in there.

[Dorth]

Yup, gotta say, it's the best license you can get, anything less and you'd risk someone else licensing it over...