Easy Software Products has announced that the Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS), has been licensed by Apple for inclusion into operating systems and software. CUPS is a portable printing layer for UNIX based operating systems like OS X. According to Easy Software Products:
Easy Software Products announced today that Apple Computer, Inc. has licensed the Common UNIX Printing System ("CUPS") for use with Apple operating systems and software.
The CUPS software will provide enhanced printing capabilities to MacOS X and other Apple software as well as improved UNIX/Linux and Windows interoperability. The standard CUPS distribution will be provided with Appleis open source Darwin operating system, while an enhanced version of CUPS with Appleis Aqua user interface will be provided with MacOS X.
CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX®-based operating systems. It has been developed by Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution for all UNIX/Linux vendors and users. CUPS provides the System V and Berkeley command-line interfaces.
CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds network printer browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing options to support real-world printing under UNIX.
You can find more information about the CUPS licensing agreement at the Easy Software Products Web site.