About Ferrco Public License
Understanding the philosophy behind "Free to use. Permission to publish."
Why We Created FPL
The Ferrco Public License was created to address a gap in the licensing landscape. Existing licenses often force creators to choose between two extremes: completely open licenses that automatically permit public distribution, or restrictive licenses that limit even private use.
We recognized that many creators want to share their work for learning, experimentation, and private use while maintaining control over when and how their work is shared publicly. FPL bridges this gap by explicitly separating private use rights from public release permissions.
The Problem We Solve
Traditional open-source licenses like MIT or Apache automatically grant permission for public distribution, which may not align with every creator's goals. On the other hand, proprietary licenses can be overly restrictive, preventing even beneficial private use.
FPL solves this by providing a middle ground: it encourages private use, learning, and modification while ensuring that creators retain control over public releases. This is particularly valuable for artists, developers, and content creators who want to share their work without losing control over its public distribution.
Our Philosophy
"Free to use. Permission to publish."
This simple statement captures the essence of the Ferrco Public License. We believe that:
- Private use should be free: Creators should be able to use, study, copy, and modify works for private purposes without barriers. This promotes learning, experimentation, and innovation.
- Public release should require permission: Creators should maintain control over when and how their work is shared publicly. This protects their rights and allows them to set appropriate terms for distribution.
- Permission should be discretionary: Copyright holders should have the flexibility to grant or deny permission based on their specific circumstances and goals for their work.
- Learning should be encouraged: By allowing private use without restriction, FPL promotes education and skill development across creative fields.
Who Should Use FPL?
Software Developers
Who want to share code for learning while controlling public distribution of their projects.
Artists & Designers
Who wish to allow private study and inspiration while managing public display of their work.
Musicians & Producers
Who want to enable private remixing and learning while controlling public releases.
Join the Community
The Ferrco Public License is continuously evolving based on community feedback and real-world usage. We invite creators from all fields to use FPL and help us shape its future.
