Open Source License Picker

Choose an open source license and get the LICENSE file.

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Open Source License Picker

Compare licenses in plain words and get the LICENSE file

LICENSE

The result appears here.

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Year

An open source license tells others what they may do with your code. Without one, the default is that nobody may reuse it. Permissive licenses (MIT, BSD, ISC, Apache) allow almost any use. Copyleft licenses (MPL, GPL, AGPL) require changes to stay open.

Not sure? MIT is the common simple choice; Apache-2.0 adds a patent grant.
Save the file as LICENSE (no extension) in the top folder of your repository.
Use the SPDX id, such as MIT, in package.json or pyproject.toml.
Check licenses of the libraries you use; copyleft can spread to your project.

Texts are the official ones from the SPDX License List, all OSI approved. Only the year and holder placeholders are filled in. GPL, AGPL, MPL and Unlicense are shown unchanged. This is general information, not legal advice.

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How to use Open Source License Picker

Answer three quick questions or pick a license to compare.
Type the copyright holder and year.
Copy or download the official LICENSE file.

Read the detailed guide →

What are the limits of Open Source License Picker?

This is general information, not legal advice. Texts come from the SPDX License List and are shown as published, with only your name and year filled in. Check with a lawyer for company or dual-licensing choices. Your data stays on your device.