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What License Should You Use on GitHub? Understanding MIT, Apache, GPL, and More
You just uploaded that amazing project to GitHub! But there's one detail many developers skip or add without much thought: the LICENSE file. It’s more than just a file — it’s a legal document that defines what others can (and can’t) do with your code. This guide helps you understand why licenses matter, how to choose one, and what common options like MIT, Apache 2.0, and GPL really mean. Why You Should Care About a License There’s a common misconception: “If it’s public on GitHub, anyone can use it.” That’s false. Without a license, all rights are reserved by default. Without a license: Legal uncertainty for others Discourages collaboration Limits adoption ✅ Solution: Add a license to make usage legal and clear. Permissive vs. Copyleft Licenses 1. Permissive Licenses Allow reuse, modification, even in closed-source projects Only require attribution and license notice Example: MIT, Apache 2.0
You just uploaded that amazing project to GitHub! But there's one detail many developers skip or add without much thought: the LICENSE file.
It’s more than just a file — it’s a legal document that defines what others can (and can’t) do with your code.
This guide helps you understand why licenses matter, how to choose one, and what common options like MIT, Apache 2.0, and GPL really mean.
Why You Should Care About a License
There’s a common misconception: “If it’s public on GitHub, anyone can use it.”
That’s false. Without a license, all rights are reserved by default.
Without a license:
- Legal uncertainty for others
- Discourages collaboration
- Limits adoption
✅ Solution: Add a license to make usage legal and clear.
Permissive vs. Copyleft Licenses
1. Permissive Licenses
- Allow reuse, modification, even in closed-source projects
- Only require attribution and license notice
- Example: MIT, Apache 2.0
