AGPL 3.0
GNU Affero General Public License 3.0
Strong copyleftSPDX:
AGPL-3.0ScanCode: CopyleftOSI approvedIn one sentence
Share-alike reaches the whole derivative work. Combining it with proprietary code you ship is the classic contamination risk.
What catches people out
- The network clause is the landmine: if users interact with your modified version over a network, you must offer them its source — no distribution required.
- Many companies block AGPL outright in their open-source policy. Check yours before you start.
Using AGPL-3.0 code
You can
- Use, study, and modify the code, including commercially
- Distribute your derivative work under the same license
You must
- License the entire derivative work under the same license when you distribute it
- Offer complete corresponding source to anyone who receives a binary
- Keep notices and document your changes
You cannot
- Ship a derivative work as closed source
- Add terms that restrict the freedoms this license grants downstream
- Apply DRM or patent terms that defeat the license's guarantees
This is not legal advice. Your obligations depend on how you use the code and your jurisdiction. Consult counsel for production risk.
Check a repository
Paste any public GitHub repository to see whether it really is AGPL-3.0, with the evidence behind the answer.