Microsoft has adjusted the terms of use for its branded digital content store Microsoft Store. The software giant has lifted the previously imposed ban for third-party developers to make money on Open Source products. This means that developers can once once more sell open source software on the platform, which is normally free.
Image Source: Microsoft
The decision to ban was motivated by the need to combat the fraudulent resale of originally free applications. However, the Software Freedom Conservancy was able to prove that open source software has its own tool to fight scammers who try to cash in on clones of popular Open Source solutions. We are talking regarding the registration of trademarks and the introduction of a clause in the rules for their use that prohibits resale under the original name.
At the same time, users of such software still have the opportunity to distribute their own builds for a fee, but they should not do this on behalf of the main product. In such cases, depending on the rules adopted by the projects, it is required to ship under a different name or add a label indicating that the assembly is not an official product.
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