This repository contains the UnSetSoft Public License (UPL 1.0) and the
UnSetSoft Public License — Corporate Edition (UPL-CE 1.0).
Both licenses were created to provide an open, collaborative, and contribution-focused
ecosystem while offering a clear commercial path for companies.
The UPL 1.0 is a non-commercial, contribution-based open-source license.
It allows users to reuse parts of the code as long as they credit the source,
but it places strict limitations on modification, distribution, and commercial use.
The UPL-CE 1.0 is the corporate version of the license.
It becomes active when a company subscribes to the paid tier:
“Get a company license for my project — $500/month” (GitHub Sponsors)
With UPL-CE 1.0, companies gain commercial usage rights and permission to modify
the software — but all modifications must still be contributed back upstream.
- UPL 1.0 — for individual, hobby, research, and non-commercial usage
- UPL-CE 1.0 — required for companies using the software commercially
Both licenses respect external dependency licenses and require attribution.
| Feature | UPL 1.0 | UPL-CE 1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial use | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed |
| Reuse of parts of the code | ✅ Allowed with attribution | ✅ Allowed with attribution |
| Modification rights | ❌ Only allowed for contributing to the original project | ✅ Allowed, but contributions back to the original project are mandatory |
| Redistribution | ❌ Not permitted | ✅ Only permitted if conditions are met and contributions are made |
| Per-file license requirement | ✔️ Required | ✔️ Required |
| Source disclosure | ✔️ Required if your software includes parts of the original code | ✔️ Required |
| Contribution obligation | ✔️ Required for any modification | ✔️ Required for any modification |
| Trademark usage | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed |
| Warranty | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Liability | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| External dependencies | ✔️ Their licenses must still be followed | ✔️ Same |
| Requires payment | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — $500/month |
| Target users | Individuals, hobbyists, researchers | Companies and organizations |
| License activation | Automatic | Active only while subscription is valid |
If a company wants to:
✔ Use the software commercially
✔ Modify it internally
✔ Integrate it into a product
✔ Redistribute compiled versions
Then they must subscribe to the company tier and use UPL-CE 1.0.
When subscribing to the plan, the company automatically agrees to the terms
of the Corporate Edition license.
If the subscription ends, the company:
- Loses commercial usage rights
- Must stop shipping new releases containing the software
- Reverts to the limitations of UPL 1.0
- Must have contributed all modifications previously made
The split allows:
Anyone can use part of the code for learning, hobby projects, research, and personal tools.
Companies that benefit from the software’s value can support its development financially
and contribute improvements.
UPL-CE ensures that professional usage becomes a source of funding and contributions.
© UnSetSoft — All rights reserved under UPL 1.0 and UPL-CE 1.0