1. Even simple scripts are automatically copyrighted
The moment you write any code - even a 5-line Bash script - it is automatically protected by copyright in most jurisdictions.
This means:
- Others cannot legally copy, modify, or redistribute it.
- Unless you explicitly give them permission through a license.
So if you publish code without a license, legally:
Nobody has the legal right to use, copy, or share your code.
(They can run it if they already have it, but they cannot copy it or give it to others.)
This often surprises people, but it is how default copyright works: "All Rights Reserved."
2. Should you explicitly add a license? Usually yes.
Adding a license tells others:
- whether they may use your code
- whether they may modify it
- whether they must credit you
- whether commercial use is OK
- whether contributions must also be open-source
3. What if the scripts are very small or trivial?
Even trivial code is automatically protected by copyright as soon as it is written. Examples:
- A one-line shell script
- A few CSS rules
- A small helper function
- A tiny HTML app
But...
- Some extremely short snippets (like a single variable assignment) might not meet the legal threshold for copyright because they lack "originality." Copyright rules also vary by country.
- However, to avoid uncertainty and clearly communicate your intent (e.g., "I want this to be free to use"), adding a license is the safest approach.