Rahat has always been committed to transparency, collaboration, and innovation. As part of our ongoing mission to provide an efficient blockchain-based cash and voucher disbursement platform, we are excited to announce a licensing shift. Rahat has officially switched from the GNU General Public License (GPL) to the Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL 2.0).
What is the MPL 2.0?
The Mozilla Public License 2.0 is a modern, permissive open-source license that emphasizes flexibility while maintaining a balance between openness and enterprise usability. Unlike some other licenses, MPL 2.0 takes a file-based approach, allowing developers to mix open-source and proprietary code more seamlessly. The license ensures that any modifications to MPL-covered files remain open-source but does not impose the same requirement on files that are merely used alongside or linked to MPL-covered code. More details can be found - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Public_License and https://fossa.com/blog/open-source-software-licenses-101-mozilla-public-license-2-0/
Why We at Rahat Chose MPL 2.0
Switching to MPL 2.0 is a strategic move to support our evolving ecosystem while staying true to our open-source roots. Here’s why this change makes sense for Rahat:
1. File-Based Licensing
MPL 2.0’s file-based structure is better suited for modular and file-based projects like Rahat. Any changes made to Rahat’s core files must remain open-source, ensuring the integrity and transparency of the project. This approach fosters collaboration while allowing developers to integrate Rahat with other systems more easily.
2. Balancing Open-Source and Proprietary Needs
The shift to MPL 2.0 strikes a thoughtful balance between maintaining Rahat’s open-source ethos and offering flexibility for diverse use cases. Rahat’s core remains open-source, ensuring that improvements are shared with the community. At the same time, MPL 2.0 allows contributors, including enterprise users, to build proprietary tools, features, or integrations without being obligated to open-source unrelated extensions. This hybrid model encourages broader adoption, fosters collaboration, and supports scaling Rahat across industries.
3. Encouraging Innovation
The license shift encourages broader collaboration. Developers can contribute to Rahat’s core while maintaining compatibility with various systems and use cases. The contributors can combine MPL-licensed code with code under other licenses (open or proprietary) without imposing additional restrictions. This setup motivates developers to contribute back while enabling seamless integration with diverse projects, fostering collaboration and innovation.
What This Means for Our Community
Rahat remains an open-source project at its core. The switch to MPL 2.0 does not change our commitment to transparency or community collaboration. Instead, it opens doors for wider adoption and innovation by making it easier for enterprises to integrate and extend Rahat’s capabilities. We believe this change will strengthen Rahat’s ecosystem and encourage more contributions from diverse stakeholders.
Conclusion
Our decision to transition to MPL 2.0 reflects Rahat’s mission to balance openness with usability. The file-based licensing model ensures that Rahat’s core remains a shared community resource while giving enterprises the flexibility to innovate and build proprietary solutions. By adopting MPL 2.0, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits both open-source enthusiasts and enterprise users alike.
We look forward to your continued support and contributions as we embark on this new chapter for Rahat.
