Using WikiMedia software

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Using WikiMedia software

vivalasvegas

4:25 pm on Jan 21, 2008 (gmt 0)

I have a project for which I would like to use the WikiMedia software. The content will be mine (not copied from Wikipedia). It's unclear to me how I can use their software:

1)Will I be able to copyright the content written by me and/or other users?
2)Am I allowed to place ads on my website (Adsense and the like)?

In short - can I use the WikiMedia software just like I would use a free site template? Not being a programmer it would be really convenient for me to be able to just install it on my server and start writing content.

Thanks very much.

ergophobe

4:44 pm on Jan 21, 2008 (gmt 0)

It's open source software, which means that you can use the software to publish any content and apply whatever license you want to the content.

What you can't do is create a derivative of the software (i.e. Wikimedia with added features) and then refuse to distribute the Wikimedia source code or try to sell the software without free distribution of the open source components. That restriction has no effect on what content you create with the software.

phranque

10:31 pm on Jan 21, 2008 (gmt 0)

most open source licenses [opensource.org] allow you to use, misuse and abuse the software as you wish.
it is when you transfer the use of that software and/or its derivatives to another person or agency that you have to pay attention to the details...

vivalasvegas

1:21 pm on Jan 22, 2008 (gmt 0)

Thank you.