Apache banned RocksDB and React.js because of the novel license Facebook used for them. Regardless of the actual terms of the license and patent grant, Facebook messed up by inventing a novel legal instrument they thought solved everyone's problems. Facebook’s rookie mistake of inventing its own open source license is always a bad idea. There are a range of important considerations that are not about the immediate risks or the specific instance. Their license action hits pretty much all of them!
- License approval by OSI is really important. They didn't address it.
- Developers rely on having permission in advance. This meant they had to seek approval from counsel.
- Open source communities demand a leval playing field for all. Facebook advantaged only themselves.
- "Permissive" licenses rely on an implied patent grant. Facebook's action voided it.
- They sought to play in Apache's ecosystem. Facebook ignored their way of doing things.
Read more about this at:
https://meshedinsights.com/2017/07/27/5-reasons-facebooks-react-license-was-a-mistake/
