What are the implications of using open source code in a research project?
Open source code is great for research purposes as it allows you to view, use and modify source code and is often free. However, if you incorporate source code into a program, open source licensing conditions will usually attach to your program so that your program will also have to be distributed ‘openly’, that is, the source code must be made available and all recipients must be permitted to use, modify and distribute the program as they wish. Accordingly, before you use open source code in a research project, you should think about what you want to achieve and prepare open source guidelines setting out what can and can’t be done. If you do use open source code, you should track all use and keep records of the associated open source licences.
