The Shared Source Initiative (SSI) is a source-available software licensing scheme launched by Microsoft in May 2001.
[1] The program includes a spectrum of technologies and licenses, and most of its source code offerings are available for download after eligibility criteria are met.
[5] Other shared source licenses are proprietary, and thus allow the copyright holder to retain tighter control over the use of their product.
[12] This Microsoft license allows for distribution of derived code so long as the modified source files are included and retain the Ms-RL.
[citation needed] Initially known as the Microsoft Community License, it was renamed during the OSI approval process.
On December 9, 2005, the Ms-RL license was submitted to the Open Source Initiative for approval by John Cowan.
[15] At the O'Reilly Open Source Convention in July 2007, Bill Hilf, director of Microsoft's work with open source projects, announced that Microsoft had formally submitted Ms-PL and Ms-RL to OSI for approval.
However, former OSI president Michael Tiemann considers the phrase "Shared Source" itself to be a marketing term created by Microsoft.