Open source software license agreements are easier to use than some proprietary software agreements. First, these agreements allow the user the freedom to use the software, back up the software and share the software without undue restrictions. Second, the license agreement allows the user to inspect the code and customize the software to their own needs. Third, the user can modify and even redistribute copies of the software within certain contingencies. The open source agreement protects a user's right to copy, modify and distribute the software by copyrighting the software. There has even been some acceptance of this type of license with some proprietary software producers. In general, most software copyright agreements including open source agreements make no warranty for the operation of the software.

A distributor of software under most open source license agreements can redistribute copies as long as they meet two contingencies. They must attach the open source license agreement to the software and make the software code openly available to the user. An open source software program will remain under the protection of the original agreement throughout its existence. The agreement binds any developer working on the program to it. Developers starting from scratch can choose what license agreement they want to attach to an open source software program. They should assess different open source agreements according to their terms. The Open Source Initiative is a group that has made a definition with ten conditions outlining what constitutes an open source agreement. They also provide certification to complying agreements.