Terms of License Agreement

Backend.AI License (Software)

This document defines the terms of the license agreement for the Backend.AI software. The usage fee and support plan of Backend.AI Cloud service provided by Lablup is independent of this policy.

Backend.AI server components (hereinafter referred to as “Backend.AI Server”) are distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 (“LGPL”), and API Client libraries and auxiliary components for accessing Backend.AI server (hereinafter “Backend.AI Client”) are distributed under the MIT License. Even if LGPL complies, commercial contracts with Lablup Co., Ltd. (“Lablup”) are required depending on the conditions when performing profit activities using the Backend.AI server. Several additional plug-ins and management Hubs targeting Backend.AI enterprise solutions are not open source, but commercial software.

Term Definition

  • Hardware: Includes virtual machine and container environments where users have the right to run and software on their own or leased physical computers.
  • Organization: Individuals, corporations, organizations, institutions (including non-profit and commerical organizations; however, subsidiaries that are separate corporations are not included)

LGPL must be followed when users use and change Backend.AI Server (Manager / Agent / Common) or develop and distribute software that uses it. Below is an example of when there is no obligation under the LGPL at this time:

  1. In case of distributing software which imports it as a module (eg Python import) without changing the Backend.AI server.
  2. When Backend.AI server is installed on the hardware and used by the general public over the network.

The correct interpretation of all other cases is subject to the LGPL original text and court judgment.

Apart from LGPL compliance, commercial contracts must be made with Lablup in the following cases:

  1. When software that works only after installing the Backend.AI server is sold to customers outside the organization.
  2. When selling hardware including Backend.AI server to customers outside the organization.
  3. When the Backend.AI server is installed on the hardware and the usage fee is received from a customer outside the organization that uses it.

In other cases, you can use the Backend.AI server for free.

Interpretation Example

  • If you distribute Backend.AI server with modifications to outside the organization, you must disclose the code and apply LGPL the same way. There is no obligation to disclose the code if it is used internally only.
  • Software using Backend.AI server as an essential library
    • Free distribution: The software does not have to be (L)GPL, and a separate contract with Lablup is not required.
    • Paid distribution: The software does not need to be (L)GPL, but a commercial contract with Lablup is required.
  • Backend.AI server is installed on the hardware and it is distributed to the public
    • Free distribution: No separate contract with Lablup is required.
    • Paid distribution: A commercial contract with Lablup is required.
  • Backend.AI server installed hardware
    • Free distribution: No separate contract with Lablup is required.
    • Paid distribution: A commercial contract with Lablup is required.

Commercial contracts include monthly / annual subscription fees for the enterprise version by default, but details may vary depending on individual contracts. Users of the open-source version can also purchase maintenance and support plans separately.