Reducing business and legal risks in software reuse libraries

Various legal issues need to be addressed to properly plan for and implement software reuse. These legal issues are dependent upon the software reuse role taken by an organization. These roles can include developing reusable components, reusing existing components, and acquiring and distributing these components via libraries or repositories. The Comprehensive Approach to Reusable Defense Software (CARDS) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force (ESC/ENS), Hanscom AFB, MA (USA) has focussed on and investigated library-related legal issues and has developed an approach for libraries to reduce possible legal and business risks. The concepts discussed here are based on this research. This paper is intended to motivate discussion and thought in this area for managers who are developing, maintaining or interacting with Government software reuse libraries and is not intended to be legal advice. Legal counsel should always be consulted before any decisions which have legal ramifications are made, and especially beginning with business strategy development