Licensing
Gerbtrace is licensed under the Business Source License 1.1 (BUSL-1.1). This page explains what that means for you.
Source access and license
Gerbtrace's source repository is private. Desktop installers are available from the public release repository. Source access is granted separately. The BUSL-1.1 is not an OSI-approved open-source license because it places one restriction on commercial use: you may not use the code to offer a product that competes with Gerbtrace.
What you can do
- Use Gerbtrace internally within your organization for any purpose, including production.
- If you have source access, read, study, modify, and learn from the source code.
- If you have source access, contribute improvements back via pull requests or patches.
- Build internal tools or integrations that use Gerbtrace.
What you cannot do
- Offer Gerbtrace (or a modified version) to third parties as a competing product or service.
- Rebrand and redistribute Gerbtrace as your own product to customers.
- Embed Gerbtrace in a commercial offering that competes with Gerbtrace.
The license defines a "competitive offering" as a product offered to third parties — whether paid or free — that substantially replicates the functionality of Gerbtrace. Using the software for internal purposes within your organization, including all affiliates under common control, is not considered competitive.
Automatic relicensing to MIT
Each version of Gerbtrace automatically converts to the MIT license four years after its release date. This licensing change does not itself make the private source repository public.
Alternative licensing
If the BUSL-1.1 does not fit your use case — for example, if you want to embed Gerbtrace in a commercial product — contact us to discuss an alternative commercial license.
Reach out at software@newmatik.com.
Full license text
The complete license text is on the Licensing page.