Apache Licensing and Distribution FAQ | Apache Software Foundation

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This page answers most of the common queries that we receive about our licenses, and about licensing, packaging or redistributing our software. For non-licensing questions, see our General FAQ.
Where can I find the Apache license?
Why are license files different for different Apache Software Foundation projects?
Is 'Apache' a trademark?
Is software from The Apache Software Foundation free?
What are the U.S. Export Classification Control Numbers (ECCNs) for the various Apache software packages?
May I license my own software under the Apache license?
How should I apply the Apache License to my own software?
May I re-use (and modify) the ASF Contributor License Agreements (CLAs) for my own purposes?
May I re-use (and modify) the Apache License 2.0 itself?
I've made improvements to Apache code; may I distribute it?
May I call my modified code 'Apache'?
I have made changes to an Apache package and I want to distribute it. Do I need to contribute the changes to the Apache Software Foundation?
May I translate the Apache license into my local language for my redistribution of Apache packages?
Is there a translation of the Apache License into my language?
Is the Apache license compatible with the GPL (GNU Public License)?
What is the scope of patent grants made to the ASF?
Can ASF PMCs host projects that are not under the Apache License?
Are contributors' employers required to sign a CCLA?
What is the provenance of source code from the ASF?
Is it ok to use https instead of http in the LICENSE file and license headers?
If none of the above addresses your query, check the resources at the bottom of this page for further information.
You can find the Apache License 2.0 (the current version) here: http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.txt
These are two older versions that we no longer use:
Apache Software License 1.1: http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-1.1.txt
Apache Software License 1.0: http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-1.0.txt
While the core Apache-developed code will be under one of the Apache licenses, other third-party works may have been included and their license text may have been added to the Apache project's LICENSE or NOTICE files. Alternatively, they may be available separately.
'Apache', 'Apache Software Foundation', the Apache logo, and the various Apache project names and logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of The Apache Software Foundation in the United States and other countries. See our Trademark Policy for details of how to use Apache project trademarks, and our helpful site map of trademark resources.
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 and explained in more detail why our software is always free (no charge).
This is regardless of the use of the software. We do not distinguish between personal, internal, or commercial use of our software, and we do not charge for any of these uses. A reminder, however, that the terms of our license always apply.
See the ASF Exports Classifications and Source Links page.
Certainly. Version 2.0 of the license was designed to be reusable, and many parties other than the ASF use it.
Include a copy of the Apache License, typically in a file called LICENSE, in your work, and consider also including a NOTICE file.
It is also valuable to tag each of your source-code files in case they become detached from the LICENSE file. To apply the Apache License to your source-code files, one approach is to attach the following notice to as a comment at the top of each file. Replace the copyright templates with your own identifying information:
A shorter variant you may wish to use is:
Note that the Apache Software Foundation uses a different source header that is related to our use of a CLA. Our instructions for our project's source headers are here.
Yes, you can re-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.
If you adapt these agreements for your own purposes, make sure that the phrase 'Apache Software Foundation' and 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).
You may re-use our license unchanged, and also modify it.