Apache License

Noun · Open Source · Origin: 2004

Definitions

  1. A permissive open-source license similar to MIT but with an explicit patent grant — users get a license to any patents held by contributors. The 'grown-up' permissive license for enterprises worried about patent litigation.

    In plain English: A popular permission slip for open-source software that lets anyone use, modify, and share the code freely, with the added promise that the creators won't sue you over any patents involved.

  2. Specifically, Apache License 2.0 is the most common variant. Its key differentiator from MIT is the explicit patent grant: contributors automatically license any patents their code might touch. This makes it the go-to choice for enterprise open source.

    Example: 'We went with Apache 2.0 over MIT because our investors wanted the patent protection clause. Enterprise customers care about that.'

    Source: legal / technical detail

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