Using Open Source Software in our own app

Question

We are creating a web app utilizing Google Speech2Text (https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/demos/speech.html).

We know that we should be aware of the acceptable use policy, and also plan on monetizing the app at some point, so we are worried that using this W3C/Google technology we will be relinquishing some rights to our own software. Or maybe we will be forced to make it open source or similar.

So my question is: What implicit usage rules are typical in free software, especially software that is collaborated on between 2 or more groups/companies. For example, I wasn't able to find a "Google & W3C Terms and Conditions for Speech Technology" doc. I just don't fully understand what we are agreeing to using this.

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Answers: 3 public & 1 private

85e6158b3d
Lawyer

Referring to the response "in the mean time, until you get an attorney, It may be wise to keep track, accurately, in the code itself (with remarks) what is "open-source" and what is your work. Keep in mind that not only the actual code itself may effect ownership, but the architecture as well. For example, how you call to a library, or where the code is stored in memory." you need to make a conscious decision of what open source to use. I have had numerous clients over the years that either in the process of licensing their technology or selling their software business, that a thorough investigation was used determining the open source used. In the former, the question is to make sure that the complete set of rights can be conveyed to the licensee. In the later, it is a much larger issue of what rights can be sold to the acquirer. The recommended approach is to keep track of it, and be prepared to substitute non open source.

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