For those still wondering what the heck Open Source Software and Open Access Publishing is all about, this short video could be a proper starting point to approach this topic:
[found via netzpolitik.org]
For more information see for example OnTheCommons.org. If you feel like publishing your own work under a similar license, check out the Creative Commons. Within a few easy steps you can create your own Creative Commons license with the conditions you prefer while preserving your copyright.
Update (2010/01/29): Silke Helfrich gives a detailed explanation and argumentation in her post “The commons as a common paradigm for social movements and beyond” that is absolutely worth reading it.
Related post: “The Commons at Flickr.com“.