- Open-source software (OSS) is computer software with its source code
made available with a license in which the copyright holder provides
the rights to study, change, and distribute the software to anyone
and for any purpose.[1] Open-source software may be developed in a
collaborative public manner. Open-source software is the most
prominent example of open-source development and often compared to
(technically defined) user-generated content or (legally defined)
open-content movements.[2]
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software