IPA IP 2025 Question 96
A question IPA Japan published in 令和7年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問96, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.
Among the descriptions below concerning OSS (Open Source Software), which of the following lists all and only the appropriate descriptions?
Explanation
Statements A and C — OSS can come from companies as well as individuals, and its licence allows free redistribution; its copyright is not waived.
- •A is appropriate: much OSS is developed or backed by companies and foundations (Android, MySQL, Kubernetes), not only by volunteers.
- •B is not: OSS keeps its copyright. The copyright holder grants a licence (GPL, MIT, Apache and others) that permits use, modification and redistribution under its terms. Software whose copyright has been given up is public domain, which is something else.
- •C is appropriate: free redistribution is one of the conditions of the Open Source Definition, so obtained OSS may be passed on, following the licence terms.
Answer (c)
Why not others:
- •(a) — drops C and includes B, the waived copyright
- •(b) — includes B
- •(d) — includes B and leaves out A
Key rule: OSS is copyrighted software licensed for free use, modification and redistribution; the licence conditions must be followed, and public domain is not the same thing.
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.