German experts update free software legal review

Two German legal experts have published the fourth edition of their review of legal issues regarding the use of free software. The book by Till Jaeger, a Berlin-based lawyer specialised in legal issues concerning open source software, and Axel Metzger, professor at the Humboldt University in the same city, appeared in March.

According to the publisher, C.H. Beck, the book answers most legal questions regarding the use of free and open source software. The text has been completely revised and the authors have added explanations on compliance and a review of the ten most-used free software licences. In this fourth edition, they’ve added a review of the Eclipse Public Licence, and discuss software-as-a-service, digital signatures in embedded systems and patent licences.

Free software has a significant role in industry, in public administration and in personal computing, the publisher writes. The book provides “practical approaches and a thorough insight into the current state of law and literature.”

The book is available in German only. It can be ordered online for EUR 69.00.

 

More information:

Publisher’s announcement (in German).