OPEN SOURCE' Non-proprietary refers to something that is not owned or controlled by a single entity. It is often used to describe software, hardware, and other products that are available to the public without restrictions. The term non-proprietary is often contrasted with proprietary, which refers to something that is owned and controlled by a single entity. In the context of crossword solutions, the term non-proprietary can be used to describe the term 'OPEN SOURCE, ' which is a type of software that is freely available to the public and can be modified and redistributed without restriction.