IPA IP 2024 Question 80
A question IPA Japan published in 令和6年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問80, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.
Same question on ITPEC: Apr 2026 Q22
Among the descriptions below concerning Open Source Software (OSS), which of the following lists all and only the appropriate descriptions?
Explanation
A only — OSS may be sold, but publishing source code does not by itself make software OSS, and OSS is not copyright-free.
- •A — appropriate: an OSS licence allows free redistribution and does not forbid charging for it, so software built with OSS can be sold, provided the licence conditions are kept (for GPL software, for example, the source must be offered to buyers)
- •B — inappropriate: software is OSS only when its licence grants the rights to use, modify and redistribute it; source code published for reading only, or with modification or redistribution forbidden, is not OSS
- •C — inappropriate: the authors keep the copyright, and the licence grants permissions under that copyright; software whose copyright has been waived is public domain software
Answer (a)
Why not others:
- •(b) A, B — adds B, but a public source code alone does not make an open source licence
- •(c) B, C — both false, and leaves out the true A
- •(d) C — OSS stays copyrighted; breaking its licence infringes that copyright
Key rule: OSS is defined by its licence, not by visible source or zero price: copyrighted, freely modifiable and redistributable, and sellable under the licence's conditions.
Software · AI-written, may contain errors
This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.