Licencing
Dual Licensing Approach
MySource Matrix (V3.12 and above) is distributed by Squiz via a dual licencing scheme, designed to provide users of MySource Matrix with an important choice in how they implement the product.
Users may choose to implement MySource Matrix under either the GPL 2 licence or under the Squiz Supported Version licence agreement (or SSV). The GPL version of the software is open source and free. The SSV is a paid-for licence that includes a basic application warranty, support services and additional application modules.
The following table summarises the differences between the two licences:
| Feature | GPL | SSV |
|---|---|---|
| Licence fee required | No | Yes |
| SSV modules included | No | Yes |
| 30 day warranty included | No | Yes |
| Modifications to software allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution of modifications to software allowed | Yes | No |
| Mulitple copies allowed for test purposes | Yes | Yes |
Purchasing the SSV
Squiz grants you the licence to use a single instance of the SSV with the purchase of any Service Level Agreement (SLA). Additional instances of MySource Matrix SSV are available with each Service Level Agreement purchased.
For SSV pricing, please contact Squiz.
Choosing GPL or SSV
The GPL licence provides the following major benefits:
- The ability to acquire the core MySource Matrix product at zero cost
- The ability to modify, copy and distribute MySource Matrix as required, also at zero cost (so long as the conditions specified within the GPL are maintained)
The SSV licence provides the following major benefits, above and beyond the GPL version:
- The provision of a basic Squiz application warranty.
- A Squiz Service Level Agreement which can provide dedicated help desk support, up-time guarantees, response time guarantees, an extended warranty and upgrades.
- The provision of Squiz's MySource Matrix extended application modules (SSV Modules include TRIM Bridge, Google Maps, Data Source, Forum Bridge, LDAP Bridge, Portal and Squiz Server.
When considering whether to implement under a GPL or SSV licence, you need to consider your own circumstances and in particular, your budget, your in-house skills and what features you wish to include in your website.
We recommend you choose the GPL licence if:
- You require no additional help in implementing the product or you already have dedicated commercial-level MySource Matrix support resources in place, or
- You have no need for the extended functionality offered by the Squiz modules
We recommend you choose the SSV licence if:
- You require commercial-level support services from a best-of-breed vendor,
- You require access to the functionality and performance gains offered by the Squiz MySource Matrix modules.