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SpecFact CLI License FAQ

This FAQ explains the Apache License 2.0 and what you can do with SpecFact CLI.

What license does SpecFact CLI use?

SpecFact CLI uses the Apache License 2.0, a permissive open-source license that allows free use for any purpose, including commercial use.

What is the Apache License 2.0?

The Apache License 2.0 is a permissive open-source license that:

  • Allows free use for any purpose (commercial or non-commercial)
  • Allows modification and distribution of the software
  • Includes explicit patent grant for enterprise peace of mind
  • Requires attribution and license notice preservation
  • Does not require derivative works to be open source

What is and isn't allowed under the license?

✅ ALLOWED - You can

  • Use SpecFact CLI commercially in your products and services
  • Modify the code for any purpose
  • Distribute modified versions (with proper attribution)
  • Build commercial products on top of SpecFact CLI
  • Use in enterprise environments without restrictions
  • Sell services that use or integrate SpecFact CLI
  • Use for SaaS products and hosted services
  • Create derivative works and proprietary extensions

📋 REQUIRED - You must

  • Include the Apache 2.0 license when distributing the software
  • Preserve copyright notices and attribution
  • Include a NOTICE file if the Work includes one
  • State any significant changes you made to the software

❌ NOT ALLOWED - You cannot

  • Remove copyright notices or license text
  • Use the NOLD AI trademark without permission (see TRADEMARKS.md)
  • Sue contributors for patent infringement related to the software (patent litigation terminates your license)

Why Apache 2.0 for brownfield modernization?

The Apache License 2.0 is particularly well-suited for enterprise brownfield modernization projects because:

  1. Explicit patent grant - Provides legal protection that enterprises require
  2. Enterprise-friendly - Many enterprises have policies that prefer Apache 2.0
  3. Commercial use allowed - No restrictions on building commercial products
  4. Legal clarity - Well-understood license with extensive legal precedent
  5. Platform-ready - Allows building commercial platforms on top of SpecFact CLI

Can I use SpecFact CLI in my commercial product?

Yes! The Apache License 2.0 explicitly allows commercial use. You can:

  • Integrate SpecFact CLI into commercial software
  • Build SaaS products using SpecFact CLI
  • Offer consulting services around SpecFact CLI
  • Create proprietary extensions and modifications

You just need to:

  • Include the Apache 2.0 license text
  • Preserve copyright notices
  • State any significant changes you made

What about patents?

The Apache License 2.0 includes an explicit patent grant, which means:

  • Contributors grant you patent rights for any patents they hold that are necessary to use their contributions
  • Your patent license terminates if you file a patent lawsuit against any contributor alleging the software infringes your patents
  • Enterprise-friendly - Many enterprises require explicit patent grants for legal compliance

Can I contribute to SpecFact CLI?

Yes! We welcome contributions. When you contribute:

  1. You retain copyright of your contributions
  2. You grant Apache 2.0 license to your contributions (allowing use in any version of SpecFact CLI)
  3. You're not liable for your contributions (standard open-source practice)

See our Contributing Guide for details.

How does this compare to other licenses?

License Commercial Use Patent Grant Enterprise-Friendly
Apache 2.0 ✅ Yes ✅ Explicit ✅ Yes
MIT ✅ Yes ⚠️ Implicit ⚠️ Moderate
GPL v3 ✅ Yes* ✅ Explicit ❌ No (copyleft)
BSD 3-Clause ✅ Yes ⚠️ Implicit ⚠️ Moderate

*GPL requires derivative works to also be GPL (copyleft)

I'm still unsure about my use case

The Apache License 2.0 is very permissive. If you're uncertain:

  1. Review the license text in LICENSE
  2. Check if you're preserving attribution (usually the only requirement)
  3. Contact us at hello@noldai.com for clarification

Contact Information

For licensing questions:

Nold AI
Owner: Dominikus Nold
Email: hello@noldai.com

Copyright (c) 2025 Nold AI (Owner: Dominikus Nold)

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at

http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.