This page answers most of the common queries that we receive about
our license, licensing use of the software, and packaging or
redistributing it.
Please check the following list to see if any of the
descriptions match your situation. Each one is described in more detail
in the following paragraphs.
Here are the detailed answers for each of the questions above.
Where can I find the Apache license?
The overriding license text (version 2.0) can be found online at
The older 1.1 version of the license can be found online at
The older 1.0 version of the license can be found online at
I'm not a lawyer. What does it all MEAN?
Describing legal documents in non-legalese is fraught with potential
for misinterpretation. Notwithstanding the text that follows, the
actual text of the license itself is legally
binding and authoritative.
That said, here's what the Apache license says in layman's terms:
It allows you to:
- freely download and use Apache software, in whole or
in part, for personal, company internal, or commercial purposes;
- use Apache software in packages or distributions that
you create.
It forbids you to:
- redistribute any piece of Apache-originated software
without proper attribution;
- use any marks owned by The Apache Software Foundation in
any way that might state or imply that the Foundation endorses
your distribution;
- use any marks owned by The Apache Software Foundation in
any way that might state or imply that you created the Apache
software in question.
It requires you to:
- include a copy of the license in any
redistribution you may make that includes Apache software;
- provide clear attribution to The Apache Software Foundation
for any distributions that include Apache software.
It does not require you to:
- include the source of the Apache software itself, or of any
modifications you may have made to it, in any redistribution
you may assemble that includes it;
- submit changes that you make to the software back to the Apache
Software Foundation (though such feedback is encouraged).
See the preFAQ.
If I'm using Apache software can I simply adhere to the Apache
License 2.0, or do I have to also adhere to the Apache Software
License versions 1.0 and 1.1?
It depends entirely on which versions of our software you are
talking about - you should adhere to the version of our license that
covered the software in question. It should be exceedingly rare to
come across version 1.0, and all active products should have had a
version released under the Apache License 2.0. Feel free to contact
the relevant project if you are unable to find an AL 2.0 version of
their software.
Why are the license files for the different Apache
Software Foundation projects different?
The various project licenses differ from each other, and the
master Apache Software Foundation license, only in terms of
attribution requirements and the listing of marks. The basic terms
are the same for all. In case of question or doubt, refer
to the master license.
Is 'Apache' a trademark?
'Apache', 'Apache Software Foundation', the multicoloured feather,
and the various Apache project names and logos are trademarks of The
Apache Software Foundation, and are usable by others only with express
permission from the ASF. References to any of them must be acknowledged
with text resembling, 'Apache is a trademark of The Apache Software
Foundation, and is used with permission.' This is not necessary in
the case of all-inclusive attribution language such as, 'All
marks are the properties of their respective owners.'
Contact the ASF Public Relations Committee <prc@apache.org> with
all inquiries regarding trademark issues.
Is software from The Apache Software Foundation free?
Yes. All software developed by all projects of
The Apache Software Foundation is freely available without charge
from the Foundation's Web sites. This is specified in the
Foundation's
Articles of Incorporation.
Is there a fee for using Apache software in a commercial
product?
No. We do not distinguish between personal, internal, or
commercial use of our software. Packaging and redistribution
of any of it is subject to the terms of our
license, however.
What are the U.S. Export Classification Control
Numbers (ECCNs) for the various Apache software packages?
The ASF has not registered ECNs for any of the software that is
developed and distributed under the ASF license. If a vendor is choosing
to distribute ASF software, then it is their responsibility to get
whatever licenses, or other blessings needed for their application. See
the following from our license:
* THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
* WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
* OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
* DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
* ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
* SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
* LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
* USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
* ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
* OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
* OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
* SUCH DAMAGE.
Can I get Apache software on a CD-ROM?
The Apache Software Foundation only provides its software
through online download mechanisms. However, any organisation
is free and welcome to create a CD-ROM containing our packages
and redistribute them that way for free or for fee -- subject
to the terms of our license.
May I include Apache software or documentation on a CD-ROM
I'm making?
Yes, as long as you comply with the terms of the
license. See the
What does it MEAN
section for help with interpretation.
May I license my own software under the Apache license?
Certainly. You will probably want to remove or change the
parts that specifically refer to the Apache organisation.
The license concepts are open to re-use.
May I re-use (and modify) the ASF Contributor
License Agreements (CLAs) for my own purposes?
Yes, you are allowed to use and modify them. You just can't hold
the ASF legally responsible if these documents are not exactly what
you intend them to be. We recommend that you obtain your own legal
advice so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
Also, if you adopt these agreements for your purposes, you have
to make sure that the phrase 'Apache Software Foundation' or any
confusingly similar references or parts that specifically refer to
the Apache organisation do not appear in your version of the agreements
(except to note that your version is derived and differs from the
original provided by the ASF).
I've made improvements to the Apache
code; may I distribute the modified result?
Absolutely -- subject to the terms of the Apache license,
of course. You can give your modified code away for free,
or sell it, or keep it to yourself, or whatever you like. Just
remember that the original code is still covered by the
Apache license and you must comply with its terms. Even if you
change every single line of the Apache code you're using, the
result is still based on the Foundation's licensed code. You
may distribute the result under a different license, but you
need to acknowledge the use of the Foundation's software. To
do otherwise would be stealing.
If you think your changes would be found useful by others,
though, we do encourage you to submit them to the
appropriate Apache project for possible inclusion.
May I call my modified code 'Apache'?
In a word, no. You may, however, use phrasing such
as 'based on Apache', 'powered by Apache', or 'based on Apache
technology'. You must not use the Foundation's marks
in any way that states or implies, or can be interpreted as
stating or implying, that the final product is endorsed or
created by the Apache Software Foundation. For example, it would
be acceptable to use a name like 'SuperWonderServer powered by Apache',
but never a name like 'Apache SuperWonderServer'. This is similar
to the distinction between a product named 'Microsoft Burp' and
'Burp for Microsoft Windows'.
You may similarly identify the specific Foundation project
whose code you're using, such as with 'based on Apache Xerces'
or 'powered by Apache Tomcat technology'.
If you wish to use a name including any of the Foundation's
marks, such as the word 'Apache', it's best to ask our permission
first.
I have made changes to an Apache package
and I want to distribute them. Do I need to contribute them to the
Apache Software Foundation?
No. You can keep your changes a secret if you like.
Maybe your modifications are embarrassing, maybe you'll get rich
selling those improvements. Whatever. But please seriously
consider giving your changes back! We all benefit when you do.
May I translate the Apache license into my local language
for my redistribution of Apache packages?
Yes, you may translate the license text into your local language.
However, any such translated text is only for the convenience
of understanding, and is not legally binding. Only the
English-language version of the license, which you must continue
to include in your packaging, is authoritative and applicable
in case legal interpretation is required.
Is the Apache license compatible with the GPL
(GNU Public License)?
From the Free Software Foundation website:
-
Apache License, Version 2.0
-
This is a free software license, compatible with version 3 of the GPL.
Please note that this license is not compatible with GPL version 2, because
it has some requirements that are not in the older version. These include
certain patent termination and indemnification provisions.
What is the scope of patent grants made to the ASF?
This is a four part question:
- Q1:
- If I own a patent and contribute to a Work,
and, at the time my
contribution is included in that Work, none of my patent's claims are
subject to Apache's Grant of Patent License, is there a way any of
those claims would later become subject to the Grant of Patent
License solely due to subsequent contributions by other parties who
are not licensees of that patent.
- A1:
- No.
- Q2:
- If at any time after my contribution,
I am able to license other
patent claims that would have been subject to Apache's Grant of
Patent License if they were licenseable by me at the time of my
contribution, do those other claims become subject to the Grant of
Patent License?
- A2:
- Yes.
- Q3:
- If I own or control a licensable patent
and contribute code to a specific Apache product, which of my patent claims
are subject to Apache's Grant of Patent License?
- A3:
- The only patent claims that are licensed
to the ASF are those you own or have the right to license that read on your
contribution or on the combination of your contribution with the specific
Apache product to which you contributed as it existed at the time of your
contribution. No additional patent claims become licensed as a
result of subsequent combinations of your contribution with any
other software. Note, however, that licensable patent claims include
those that you acquire in the future, as long as they read on your
original contribution as made at the original time. Once a patent
claim is subject to Apache's Grant of Patent License, it is licensed
under the terms of that Grant to the ASF and to recipients of any
software distributed by the ASF for any Apache software product
whatsoever.
- Q4:
- What is an Apache product?
- Q3:
- An Apache product is a body of software
being developed by the ASF that the ASF intends to both alter and to publish
as a separate line of releases.
If you have questions about The Apache Software Foundation, its
projects, or its software, we recommend the following link for more
information or assistance:
If you have a question specifically about the Apache license
or distribution of Apache software, and it has not been answered
by this page, you may send a message to <human-response@Apache.Org>
requesting clarification. Note: If you send a
question that is answered by the information on this page
your message may be IGNORED.