CDDL-1.0 Guide
SPDX Identifier: CDDL-1.0
- Redistribution in source form
- Notice obligation: Redistribute while keeping the copyright/license information stated in the source code intact.
- Obligations upon modification
- Apply CDDL-1.0 to the modified files. (There is no obligation to apply CDDL-1.0 to separately added files.)
- Redistribution in binary form
- Notice obligation: Generate an open source notice and enclose it when redistributing the binary.
- Obligations upon modification
- Apply CDDL-1.0 to the modified files. (There is no obligation to apply CDDL-1.0 to separately added files.)
- Source code provision obligation
- Provide the source code of the files that fall under CDDL-1.0 within the binary.
CDDL-1.0 is a per-file Weak Copyleft license. It is based on MPL, and the source code disclosure obligation arises only when a CDDL-1.0 file itself is modified. Separately added files do not need to be disclosed, so it can also be used in commercial software.
Obligations by Use Case
Case 1. Redistribution in Source Form
When redistributing open source under the CDDL-1.0 license in source form, observe the following.
1-1 Notice Obligation
- A copy of the license
- Retain legal notices such as copyright, patent, and trademark notices
In other words, redistribute while keeping the copyright/license information stated in the source code intact.
If you add to or modify part of the open source code, observe the following.
- Apply CDDL-1.0 to the modified files. (There is no obligation to apply CDDL-1.0 to separately added files.)
Case 2. Redistribution in Binary Form
When building open source under the CDDL-1.0 license and redistributing it in binary form only, observe the following.
2-1 Notice Obligation
- Provide a copy of the license
- Retain legal notices such as copyright, patent, and trademark notices
Generate an open source notice containing the above and enclose it when redistributing the binary.
If you add to or modify part of the open source code, observe the following.
- Apply CDDL-1.0 to the modified files. (There is no obligation to apply CDDL-1.0 to separately added files.)
2-2 Source Code Provision Obligation
Provide the source code files that fall under CDDL-1.0 within the binary. In doing so, observe the following.
- CDDL-1.0 requires that content added within a file also be licensed under CDDL-1.0 and have its source code disclosed. Therefore, disclose the modified files as well as the original files under CDDL-1.0.
You can fulfill the source code provision obligation by informing users in the open source notice of how they can obtain the source code.
MPL-Based License
CDDL-1.0 is a license created by Sun Microsystems (now Oracle) based on the Mozilla Public License (MPL).
- MPL similarity: Per-file Copyleft applies
- Main usage: Sun/Oracle projects (OpenSolaris, GlassFish, etc.)
- Current status: The use of CDDL is currently in decline
License Compatibility
Compatibility with Major Licenses
| License to Combine | Compatible | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | Compatible | Only the CDDL files are disclosed |
| Apache-2.0 | Compatible | Only the CDDL files are disclosed |
| GPL-2.0/3.0 | Incompatible | Copyleft conflict |
| MPL-2.0 | Compatible | Similar per-file Copyleft |
| Proprietary | Compatible | Can be used as long as only the CDDL files are disclosed |
CDDL-1.0 is not compatible with GPL-family licenses, because the Copyleft clauses of CDDL and GPL conflict with each other.
References
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