Proposal #2: Business Source License (BUSL-1.1) for Reax V1

Description

This proposal is to approve the implementation of the Business Source License 1.1 (BUSL-1.1) for the Reax v1 smart contracts for a period of 4 years. BUSL-1.1 is a source-available license that allows free use of the software for non-commercial purposes while requiring a commercial license for commercial use during the license term.

By adopting BUSL-1.1 for a 4-year term, we aim to strike a balance between promoting open-source collaboration and protecting the commercial interests of the Reax protocol in the medium term. This licensing model will enable individuals, researchers, and non-profit organizations to freely access, study, and modify the Reax v1 contracts for the next 4 years, fostering innovation and community engagement.

Simultaneously, commercial entities seeking to build products or services based on the Reax protocol during this 4-year period will be required to obtain a commercial license, ensuring fair compensation for the development efforts and intellectual property of the Reax team.

Rationale

1. Foster Open-Source Collaboration: By making the source code available under BUSL-1.1 for 4 years, we encourage community contributions, code audits, and academic research, ultimately strengthening the Reax protocol's security and robustness.

2. Protect Commercial Interests (Medium Term): The commercial licensing requirement for BUSL-1.1 safeguards the Reax team's intellectual property and ensures fair compensation when the protocol is used for commercial purposes during the 4-year term.

3. Incentivize Innovation: The open-source nature of the Reax v1 contracts enables developers, researchers, and enthusiasts to experiment, learn, and build innovative solutions on top of the protocol for the next 4 years, driving further adoption and growth within the DeFi ecosystem.

4. Align with Industry Standards: BUSL-1.1 is a widely recognized and accepted license, providing a clear legal framework for both open-source and commercial use cases.

5. Revisit Licensing Strategy: After the 4-year term, the Reax community can reevaluate the licensing strategy and decide on the appropriate approach for the subsequent phase of the protocol's development.

Implementation

Upon approval of this proposal, the following steps will be taken:

1. The Reax v1 smart contracts will be licensed under BUSL-1.1 for a period of 4 years, and the appropriate license headers will be added to all contract files.

2. Documentation and resources will be updated to reflect the new licensing model, providing clear guidance on the terms of use for both non-commercial and commercial purposes during the 4-year term.

3. A commercial licensing process will be established, allowing interested parties to obtain a commercial license for building products or services based on the Reax protocol during the 4-year term.

4. The Reax protocol's website and official repositories will prominently display the BUSL-1.1 license, its 4-year term, and related information.

Voting

This proposal will be open for voting for a period of 7 days. REAX token holders can cast their votes using the Snapshot platform.

• Vote FOR this proposal if you support implementing BUSL-1.1 for the Reax v1 contracts for a 4-year term.
• Vote AGAINST this proposal if you oppose implementing BUSL-1.1 for the Reax v1 contracts for a 4-year term.

The proposal will be considered approved if it receives a majority of votes from the participating REAX token holders.

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Please review the details of this proposal carefully and cast your vote accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to raise them in the discussion channels on our Discord.