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Open Source License Generator
Generate license text for your open source projects. Choose from popular licenses and customize with your details.
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Select a license type to see its description.
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What is a Software License?
A software license is a legal instrument that governs the use, modification, and distribution of software. Open source licenses grant users the freedom to run, study, modify, and share the software, while protecting the author's copyright.
Licenses generally fall into two categories:
- Permissive licenses (MIT, Apache, BSD) — Allow almost any use, including proprietary derivatives, with minimal requirements.
- Copyleft licenses (GPL, LGPL, MPL) — Require derivative works to be distributed under the same license terms.
How to Use
- Select a license — Choose from popular open source licenses. A description will appear to help you decide.
- Enter your details — Fill in the author name and year. Some licenses also accept a project name.
- Copy or download — The license text updates automatically. Use the copy button or download as a
LICENSEfile. - Place in your project — Add the
LICENSEfile to the root of your repository.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which license should I choose for my project?
For most open source projects, MIT is the most popular choice — it's simple, permissive, and well-understood. If you work for a company, Apache 2.0 includes an explicit patent grant. If you want to ensure derivatives remain open source, choose GPL-3.0.
Do I need to register my license?
No. Open source licenses are self-executing. You simply include the license text in your repository and you're protected. No registration or government filing is required.
Is the generated license legally binding?
Yes, but this tool provides template text only. For specific legal advice, especially for commercial or high-stakes projects, consult an attorney. The license text is the standard version approved by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) where applicable.
Can I use multiple licenses for my project?
Yes. Some projects are "dual-licensed" (e.g., MIT + Apache 2.0). This tool generates one license at a time, but you can generate multiple and include them in your project.
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Last updated: 25 Jun 2026
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