From 2012 to 2021, there appears to be a trend towards open source creators choosing the permissive route when it comes to open source licenses throughout the world. In 2012, only ** percent of open source licenses were permissive, while in 2021 that figure reached ** percent.
When creators attach permissive licenses to their open source projects, it gives corporations various freedom to use the code without having to give much back to the creators.
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WhiteSource. (January 28, 2022). Distribution of permissive & copyleft open source licenses worldwide form 2012 to 2021 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 15, 2026, from /statistics/1245665/worldwide-permissive-copyleft-open-source-licenses/
WhiteSource. "Distribution of permissive & copyleft open source licenses worldwide form 2012 to 2021." Chart. January 28, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 15, 2026. /statistics/1245665/worldwide-permissive-copyleft-open-source-licenses/
WhiteSource. (2022). Distribution of permissive & copyleft open source licenses worldwide form 2012 to 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 15, 2026. /statistics/1245665/worldwide-permissive-copyleft-open-source-licenses/
WhiteSource. "Distribution of Permissive & Copyleft Open Source Licenses Worldwide Form 2012 to 2021." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 Jan 2022, /statistics/1245665/worldwide-permissive-copyleft-open-source-licenses/
WhiteSource, Distribution of permissive & copyleft open source licenses worldwide form 2012 to 2021 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1245665/worldwide-permissive-copyleft-open-source-licenses/ (last visited July 15, 2026)
Distribution of permissive & copyleft open source licenses worldwide form 2012 to 2021 [Graph], WhiteSource, January 28, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1245665/worldwide-permissive-copyleft-open-source-licenses/
