The CIE (international commission on illumination) has a lot of spectra defined in its ISO standards. They publish them on their website (https://cie.co.at/data-tables) with a CC BY-SA 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).
Can I use the spectra in commercial software without sharing the source code? The spectra that I get from CIE are csv files, but I don't want to share the files and instead simply compile the values into my software.
Among them are the so-called colour-matching functions, which define the XYZ color space. Basically every software working with color uses these. So I guess it should not be a problem?
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4It depends. Please describe in detail how your software interfaces with the CIE software. Is the CIE part just data (as the folder name 'data-tables' suggests) or is it code?Martin_in_AUT– Martin_in_AUT2025年02月18日 07:53:15 +00:00Commented Feb 18 at 7:53
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Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer.Community– Community Bot2025年02月18日 08:27:46 +00:00Commented Feb 18 at 8:27
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@Martin_in_AUT thanks for the feedback, I explained the usage in more detail. The data is basically a column of values in a csv file. I want to hardcode the values into my code without sharing the files.Libavi– Libavi2025年02月19日 06:39:40 +00:00Commented Feb 19 at 6:39
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When you compile the values of a CC BY-SA 4.0 covered work into your code, then your code will be a derivative work (the license calls it 'Adapted Material') of the CIE data. Due to the 'Share Alike' requirement of that license, you would have to share your own software (the executable) under the same license.
This requirement to provide your software under the CC BY-SA 4.0 allows you to just provide the binaries (executable code), there is no need to provide the source code of your software. On the other hand it will be very difficult to commercialize your software, because each and every recipient of your software will be entitled to share your software for free.
If, however, you decide to use the CIE data in a way that allows you to deliver it in a file separate to your compiled code, and your code just accesses the file at runtime, then your software will not be considered a derivative work of the CIE data, and you can provide your software with any license conditions, as long as you comply with the CC BY-SA 4.0 conditions for the part of the CIE data.
It also should be mentioned that Creative Commons do not recommend using their licenses for software, because the terms are just not suitable.