---
title: "What a licence is: copyright by default, permission by licence"
type: podcast episode 1
published: 2026-10-04T02:00:00.000Z
url: https://islamicopenfinance.com/podcasts/licensing-2026-10-04
audio: https://islamicopenfinance.com/podcasts/audio/licensing-2026-10-04.mp3
voices: synthetic (AI-generated speech)
---

# What a licence is: copyright by default, permission by licence

> Code, text and data have an owner from the moment they are created. A licence is how the owner tells everyone else what they may do, and on what conditions. Plus this week's business calendar: 5 business days.

## Transcript

**Amina:** Hi! This is Licences, Plainly, from IslamicOpenFinance™. I'm Amina, here with Yusuf.

**Yusuf:** Hello everyone!

**Amina:** New season, and it's about licences. Let's start at the beginning. Why does software even need a licence?

**Yusuf:** Because copyright exists by default. The moment you write code, in most countries it belongs to you, and nobody else may copy or change it without your permission.

**Amina:** So a licence is that permission?

**Yusuf:** Exactly. It's a document where the owner says what you may do and on what conditions. Ownership doesn't change; some rights are granted.

**Amina:** Those documents can be long. What should I look for?

**Yusuf:** Three things. What it permits, like commercial use or changes. What it requires, like keeping the author's notice. And what it disclaims, usually warranty and liability.

**Amina:** Why should a fintech team care? We just install libraries.

**Yusuf:** That's exactly why. Every library, font, dataset and model comes with a licence, and those licences decide how you can sell your product or deliver it to a bank.

**Amina:** And this week's business calendar?

**Yusuf:** This week has 5 business days.

**Amina:** The written version and the details are on the IslamicOpenFinance™ blog.

**Yusuf:** Our voices were made with AI. See you next week, bye!