Even without being discovered, using open source code but not following its open source license is still a legal and ethical issue. Here are a few points to consider： ### 1. **Legal risks** -**Violation of license**: An open source license is a legally binding agreement. If you do not comply with the requirements of the license (for example, the source code is not provided, the author is not signed, the license file is not included, etc.), you may face legal proceedings, especially if the project is discovered and attracts attention. -**Potential legal consequences**: If the copyright holder of an open source project finds that you have violated the license, they may ask you to stop using the code, compensate for losses, or even take legal action. ### 2. **Ethical responsibility** -**Respect for the open source community**: Open source projects are usually contributed by developers free of charge, and following the license is a respect for the fruits of their labor. Ignoring license requirements may damage the trust and spirit of cooperation of the open source community. -**Company reputation**: If violations are discovered, the company's reputation may be damaged, especially in the technical community. ### 3. **Proactive correction** -**Actively admit and correct mistakes**: Even if they are not discovered, it is responsible to take the initiative to correct mistakes. You can take the following steps： 1. **Review project**: Check all open source code used in the project and confirm its license requirements. 2. **Comply with the license**: Make amendments according to the requirements of the license, such as providing the source code, signing the author, including the license file, etc. 3. **Internal communication**: Report problems to the company's management or legal team and recommend corrective actions. 4. **Communicate with the open source community**: If possible, communicate with the maintainers of the open source project, explain the situation and seek understanding. ### 4. **Long-term effects** -**Compliance culture**: Proactively correcting mistakes and establishing a compliance culture can help companies avoid future legal risks and enhance trust in the open source community. -**Precautions**: It is recommended that companies establish a strict review process when using open source code to ensure that all projects comply with the corresponding open source licenses. ### Summary Even if it is not discovered, it is responsible to proactively correct mistakes and admit violations. This not only helps to avoid potential legal risks, but also reflects respect for the open source community and the company's reputation. It is recommended to take action as soon as possible to ensure project compliance and establish a long-term compliance mechanism.