What term describes software that may be modified or redistributed by anyone?

The term that describes software that may be modified or redistributed by anyone is open-source software. This category of software is characterized by its license, which allows users to see the source code, modify it, and distribute their modifications. Open-source software fosters collaboration and community development, enabling individuals and organizations to improve the software or adapt it to their needs.

Public-domain software, while also free to use, is not subject to copyright at all. This means that once software has entered the public domain, no one can claim ownership of it, and therefore anyone can freely use, modify, and redistribute it without any restrictions. However, the key difference between public-domain software and open-source software lies in the latter's licensing that typically requires that any derivative works also remain open-source, ensuring the software remains available for public use and development.

Understanding this distinction is important in the context of software licensing and distribution. Open-source software emphasizes community and collaboration through licenses that protect users' rights to utilize the code, while public-domain software relinquishes all rights.