What is the MIT Expat license?

The MIT Expat license is a widely recognized open-source license similar to the standard MIT license but includes a specific clause. The full text is typically described as the standard MIT license with an added requirement that the software should be used for "good, not evil." This clause, added by Douglas Crockford and used in projects like JS Lint, aims to impose an ethical restriction on the software's use.

However, this additional clause has caused significant challenges for legal adoption because the term "evil" lacks a clear, enforceable legal definition. This ambiguity can deter organizations with stringent legal considerations from using the software, as they are uncertain about the legal implications of complying with such a vague term. This has led to difficulties in the widespread adoption of software under this license among legally-conscious teams and companies 1 2 3.