Apache 2.0 vs GPL 3.0: what is the difference?
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TL;DR: Apache 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution: Yes. GPL 3.0: the same uses: Yes. Apache 2.0: Use, reproduce, modify, sublicense and distribute for any purpose, with an express patent license; keep notices, include the license and mark changed files. GPL 3.0: Run, study, change and share the software, including commercially. If you convey it or a work based on it, you must do so under the GPL with the corresponding source.
Is apache 2.0: commercial use, modification, redistribution allowed under Apache License 2.0?
Yes. Every use you described is granted by Apache 2.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.
License: Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0, curated)
Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes
Is gPL 3.0: the same uses allowed under GNU General Public License v3.0?
Yes. Every use you described is granted by GPL 3.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.
License: GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0-only, curated)
Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, share_alike, source_disclosure
How do Apache-2.0 and GPL-3.0-only compare?
The table lists each license's duties and notes side by side.
| License | Duties | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apache-2.0 | attribution, license_notice, state_changes | Includes an express patent license that ends for anyone who sues over patents in the work (section 3). Does not grant rights to the licensor's trademarks (section 6). |
| GPL-3.0-only | attribution, license_notice, state_changes, share_alike, source_disclosure | Sublicensing is not allowed; every recipient receives a license from the original licensors (sections 2 and 10). Running the software, including as a network service, does not by itself trigger the duty to share source; conveying copies does. |
Combined in one work: compatible.
What else should I know?
- The duties differ: compare the duties and notes listed for each license below.
What are the sources?
How can I check it myself (free, no key)?
{
"tool": "check_license",
"arguments": {
"license": "Apache-2.0",
"intended_use": {
"commercial_use": true,
"modification": true,
"redistribution": true
}
}
}Computed from a2ally's license profiles; not legal advice. JSON · Markdown
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curl -s -X POST https://www.a2ally.com/v1/accounts/signup -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"accept_terms":true}'
export A2ALLY_API_KEY=rs_... # the api_key from the reply (shown once)
curl -s https://www.a2ally.com/v1/licenses/check -H "Authorization: Bearer $A2ALLY_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"license":"MIT","intended_use":{"commercial_use":true}}'
