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BSD 3-Clause License

The BSD 3-Clause License (also known as "New BSD" or "Modified BSD") is a permissive free software license. It is very similar to the MIT License, allowing you to use, modify, and distribute the software for any purpose. The key difference is an added clause that prohibits using the nam...

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🛡️ RISK BADGE: 🟢 LOW (Permissive)

Executive Summary: What is it?

The BSD 3-Clause License (also known as "New BSD" or "Modified BSD") is a permissive free software license. It is very similar to the MIT License, allowing you to use, modify, and distribute the software for any purpose. The key difference is an added clause that prohibits using the names of the original contributors to endorse or promote your derivative products without written permission.

CFO / Business Impact: What does it cost/risk?

Zero Contamination Risk. Like MIT and Apache 2.0, this is business-friendly. You can incorporate BSD-3 licensed code into proprietary software, SaaS platforms, or internal tools without any obligation to share your source code or pay royalties.

Technical Reality: How does it work?

"Do what you want, but don't use my name to sell your product."

  1. Redistribution: You must retain the copyright notice, list of conditions, and disclaimer.
  2. No Endorsement: You cannot say "Powered by [Project Name]" in a way that implies they support your product unless they agree.
  3. No Warranty: As is standard, the authors provide the code "as is" with no liability.
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Similar Alternatives

MIT License

The MIT License is the most permissive and popular open-source license. It allows you to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software. The only requirement is that you include the original copyright notice in your copy.

Apache License 2.0

The Apache 2.0 is a modern permissive license favored by large enterprises (Google, Android, Kubernetes). Like MIT, it allows full commercial use. Crucially, it includes an explicit patent grant, protecting you from patent lawsuits from the contributors.

BSD 2-Clause License

The BSD 2-Clause License ("Simplified BSD" or "FreeBSD License") is a permissive free software license. It allows use, modification, and distribution for any purpose, including in proprietary products, with two conditions: keep the copyright notice and the warranty disclaimer.

ISC License

The ISC License is a permissive free software license functionally equivalent to MIT and BSD 2-Clause. It allows use, modification, and distribution for any purpose, including in proprietary products, with one condition: keep the copyright and permission notice.