Close Source or Open Source?

This is my answer to this question.

Open source is definitely a factor to consider as part of a comprehensive needs assessment. What are you/your client attempting to achieve?
What does their environment already contain?
What impact from a user/maintenance standpoint?
Is there in house expertise to support it?
Does the product meet all the business requirements?
What are the support costs?
Etc.

Any mature implementation plan will treat the licensing requirements - closed or open – as one part of the selection criteria. Once we step back from the closed/open debate and look at licensing in general then the specific clauses in each license matter? Not all closed source licenses are the same, not all open source licenses are the same. Each specific license has requirements and limitations imposed on you – it is these limitations and impositions that must be weighed. Not the Closed/Open label.