Does Apache License Require Attribution?
The Apache License, a popular open-source license, is often a topic of discussion among developers and organizations considering using open-source software. One common question that arises is whether the Apache License requires attribution. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Apache License and address this question, providing clarity on the attribution requirements.
The Apache License, Version 2.0 (Apache-2.0), is a permissive open-source license that grants users the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the licensed software. It is widely used in the open-source community, with many popular projects, such as Apache HTTP Server and Apache Kafka, being licensed under Apache-2.0.
Regarding the attribution requirement, the Apache License does indeed require attribution. Section 3 of the Apache-2.0 license specifies that when you distribute, publicly perform, or publicly display the licensed work, you must provide the following attribution:
“`
“Copyright [yyyy] [name of copyright owner]
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the “License”);
you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at
LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an “AS IS” BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.”
“`
This attribution must be included in all copies of the licensed work or its derivatives, including documentation and source code. It is important to note that the attribution requirement applies to the entire licensed work, not just specific components or modules.
However, the Apache License provides some flexibility regarding the format and placement of the attribution. The license allows you to provide the attribution in any reasonable manner, such as through a README file, documentation, or in the source code itself. You are not required to display the attribution in a specific location or in a specific font size, as long as it is reasonably visible to users.
In conclusion, the Apache License does require attribution. As an open-source user or developer, it is crucial to adhere to the attribution requirements specified in the license to ensure compliance. By doing so, you demonstrate respect for the original authors and the open-source community, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for all involved.
