Open core is taking over software. It's what the market expects now. Any founder building enterprise software today needs a strategy around source code access. You're not going to sign major customers if you refuse to share your code.
OCV’s new Open Core Ventures Source Available License (OCVSAL) is a source available license designed specifically to cover the proprietary components of software. It’s a simple license that clearly requires a commercial agreement for production use while providing access to the codebase. Here’s how it works:
1. View and modify: Users can view, modify, test, and publish modifications to the code.
2. Commercial agreement required: Using the software in production requires a valid commercial agreement (subscription or contract) with the license holder.
3. Modifications stay with the licensee: The license holder retains rights to all modifications, reducing legal complexity around contributions.
OCVSAL is more restrictive than many source available licenses but more permissive than traditional proprietary alternatives. It is complementary to open source and not meant to replace it. The open source parts of the codebase should remain licensed as open source.
Why not use an existing source available license?
Commons Clause adds restrictions on top of existing open source licenses, which creates confusion about what's actually permitted. It's a modifier, not a standalone license.
Business Source License (BUSL) limits commercial use for a set period, then converts to open source after a number of years. That model works for some companies, but it doesn't fit when you need permanent protection for proprietary features. If you're building an open core business where certain capabilities are always commercial, BUSL's time-based conversion doesn't align with that model.
Other licenses are encumbered by long, complicated licensing text. People are more likely to adopt a license when it's easy to understand. The OCVSAL is intentionally short, readable, and clear.
Why source available over other license types?
Source available is the most complementary non-open-source license to open source itself. It preserves what matters most: transparency.
When the Commons Clause was released eight years ago, open source advocates warned that source available licenses would destroy open source. That hasn't happened. Instead, source available has become increasingly accepted because people understand the tradeoff: companies need to monetize their work to sustain development.
The vocal minority who object to any non-open-source license will always exist. But most customers and developers understand the deal: building software costs money, and companies need a way to sustain that investment. Source available licensing provides that vehicle without locking code away entirely.
The alternative to source available isn't open source—it's fully proprietary licensing with no code access at all. For enterprise software, providing source code is now table stakes. The days of source code escrow are over. Customers expect access. If you won't provide it, they'll find someone who will.
Source available gives companies a sustainable path: share your code, protect your business, and meet market expectations.
OCVSAL v1 is available for use
The full license text is available on GitHub. If you're building an open core company and need a straightforward license for your proprietary components, OCVSAL v1 is open for use.
We welcome feedback. If you have questions or suggestions, you can find us on X @sytses and @HeatherMeeker4, or get in touch with Heather at www.heathermeeker.com.