Doom Source License

The Doom Source License (or DSL) is the original source code license under which the Doom source code was released in late 1997. The Doom source was later re-released under the GNU GPL. As the license cannot be revoked, the Doom source is essentially dual licensed under the DSL and the GPL.

The DSL is significantly more restrictive than the GNU GPL, and as such is incompatible with it. For example, any form of commercial exploitation is forbidden. Heavy restrictions apply to the distribution of copies of the source code; the license grants permission only for the distribution of portions of the code for "educational use". The DSL is not an Open Source license (under the Open Source Definition) or a Free Software license.

Despite these restrictions, some source port authors nonetheless choose the DSL over the GPL for their ports. One reason for this is that the DSL does not include the copyleft provisions that the GPL includes, which requires the source code of any derivative version to be released. This is used as justification by the authors of source ports such as ZDaemon and Skulltag, who keep their source code secret.

Another reason is that the GNU GPL is incompatible with the Raven source code license under which the Heretic and Hexen sources were released, while the DSL is compatible. By using the DSL, it is possible to use the Raven source code while avoiding infringing upon the GPL. However, the Raven source code was released as GPL so now source port authors may use this code and include Heretic and/or Hexen support legally.

Confusingly, source ports which use the DSL are not Open Source, even if the source code is still available; this is because the DSL does not meet the requirements for what is considered "open" under the Open Source Definition. Similarly, DSL source ports are also non-Free Software.