# Keeping Track of Open Source Software Licenses

DevFeed: [Keeping Track of Open Source Software Licenses](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/keeping-track-of-open-source-software-licenses-29726.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://goteleport.com/blog/keeping-track-of-oss-licenses/>)

Author: taylor@goteleport.com (Taylor Wakefield)

Published: 2016-10-18T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Teleport](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/teleport.md>)

Topics: [Open Source](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/open-source.md>), [foss](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/foss.md>), [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>), [open-source-security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/open-source-security.md>)

Tags: [acquisition](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/acquisition.md>), [advice](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/advice.md>), [customer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/customer.md>), [foss](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/foss.md>), [intellectual-property](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/intellectual-property.md>), [open-source](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/open-source.md>), [open-source-software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/open-source-software.md>), [saas](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/saas.md>), [signing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/signing.md>), [startup](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/startup.md>)

## AI overview

This article explains why startups and enterprise software teams should track open-source software licenses early. It describes the legal and business risks that can arise during acquisitions or major customer deals, recommends reviewing licenses and watching for copyleft terms, and suggests scanning code with a script and consulting a lawyer.

## Source excerpt

It might be mundane and boring but keeping track of your FOSS license usage can save you from a big headache at the least opportune time.