Not restricted to technology owned by one company.
Reach for it when describing technology or information not controlled as one vendor's exclusive property
The agency adopted a nonproprietary format any vendor could implement.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal |
everyday
generic
Fits when the item is not tied to a brand
Careful Generic does not imply access to source or specifications.
everyday
Fits when access or participation is broadly available
Careful Open needs a named license or permission.
professional
Fits when different systems work together
Careful Interoperability can exist through proprietary agreements.
professional
open-standard
Fits when a public interoperable specification is used
Careful An open standard can have proprietary implementations.
professional
vendor-neutral
Fits when no supplier receives built-in preference
Careful Vendor neutrality does not grant reuse rights.
formal
public-domain
Fits when copyright restrictions are absent
Careful Public domain is a specific legal status.
nonproprietary format
The archive chose a nonproprietary format with published specifications.
nonproprietary software
Nonproprietary software let each school inspect the code.
nonproprietary standard
A nonproprietary standard reduced switching costs for the agency.
Keep in mind
Nonproprietary is not automatically open source, public domain, royalty-free, or interoperable; the actual license and specification decide.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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