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Licensing

ZeroFS is dual licensed under the GNU AGPL v3 and a commercial license.

The GNU AGPL v3 option is for developers building open source applications. It is fully featured. If you distribute, host or create derivative works of ZeroFS over a network, the GNU AGPL v3 license requires that you provide the complete corresponding source code of the combined work under the same GNU AGPL v3 license. This requirement applies whether or not you modified ZeroFS.

Commercial licenses are available for organizations requiring different terms.

License Text: The full GNU AGPL v3 license text is available at https://github.com/Barre/ZeroFS/blob/main/LICENSE

Licensing FAQs

What is the GNU AGPL v3?

The GNU AGPL v3 is the GNU Affero General Public License v3, a FOSS license certified by the Free Software Foundation and the Open Source Initiative. It extends GPL v3 copyleft to software offered over a network.

When does AGPL apply to my use of ZeroFS?

When you host or distribute ZeroFS over a network, the AGPL v3 applies. Any distribution or network provisioning of ZeroFS (modified or not) must comply with AGPL v3 obligations. This includes providing source code access to users of your network service.

Making combined or derivative works

Creating combined or derivative works of ZeroFS requires such works to be released under AGPL v3.

If ZeroFS source code is included in the same executable or if modules are designed to run linked together in a shared address space, they are likely combined into one program.

Network protocols (NBD, NFS, 9P) and command-line arguments are communication mechanisms normally used between separate programs. However, if the semantics of the communication involve exchanging complex internal data structures or intimate operational knowledge, this could constitute a combined work.

Merely aggregating ZeroFS in your distribution does not necessarily constitute a derivative work.

What about internal use?

Internal use of ZeroFS within your organization, without network service exposure to external users, does not trigger AGPL distribution requirements.

Commercial Licensing

For organizations requiring:

  • Exemption from AGPL obligations
  • Priority support and SLAs
  • Deployment assistance

Commercial licenses are available. Please contact: pierre@barre.sh

Legal Consultation

We recommend consulting your legal counsel regarding AGPL compliance for your specific use case. Commercial licensing removes AGPL obligations.

This page is general information about ZeroFS licensing and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific use case and licensing obligations, consult qualified legal counsel. Licensing interpretations may vary by jurisdiction and circumstances.

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