Microsoft will allow free software in its app store

[jordiqui]

In recent hours, interesting details have been revealed about the new Windows Store app store designed for Windows 8, but we were still waiting to find out what the policy will be regarding open source software.

Within the Agreement for Application Development in Microsoft's new store, there is a "special exception" related to free software, according to The H Online.

This exception states that applications that are released under a recognized open source license can, at least in the pre-release forecast, be distributed under terms that contradict the standard application license norms of Microsoft if the license so requires.

One of the rules specified in the licensing terms of applications from the Redmond firm is that the exchange of applications is prohibited.

With this measure, Microsoft seems to be trying to prevent having to cure problems like those Apple has had as a result of the publication of applications such as the open source VLC Media Player.

However, the Redmond company has not followed a similar strategy in the Windows Phone Marketplace, whose terms of use prohibit the presence of free software under the GPL3 license. Microsoft wants to attract developers by offering them more advantageous conditions than in the rest of the app stores. In this sense, creators will take 70% of the revenue, but when they reach $25,000, the percentage will rise to 80%.

Source

[Yorus]

A wise decision if you want to have a competitive market. The mobile issue is different, but on PC some of the most popular free applications are free software.