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MBARI Software License Decision Tree

--- title: License Decision Tree --- flowchart TD subgraph Decision Tree direction TB Start([New Software Project]) --> Q1{Contains ITAR/EAR
restricted technology?} Q1 -->|Yes| Private[Keep PRIVATE
Contact legal before release] Q1 -->|No| Q2{Has existing
commercial license?} Q2 -->|Yes| TechTransfer[Contact Tech Transfer
May need dual-licensing] Q2 -->|No| Q3{Collaborative project
with external partners?} Q3 -->|Yes| Q3a{Partner has
license preference?} Q3a -->|Yes| Match[Match partner's license
or negotiate] Q3a -->|No| Apache1[Use Apache 2.0] Q3 -->|No| Q4{Want derivatives to
stay open-source?} Q4 -->|Yes| GPL[Use GPL-3.0 or AGPL-3.0
Copyleft protection] Q4 -->|No| Q5{Simple utility or
small library?} Q5 -->|Yes| Q5a{Need patent
protection?} Q5a -->|Yes| Apache2[Use Apache 2.0] Q5a -->|No| MIT[Use MIT
Simpler option] Q5 -->|No| Apache3[Use Apache 2.0
MBARI Default] end style Private fill:#ffcccc style TechTransfer fill:#ffffcc style Apache1 fill:#ccffcc style Apache2 fill:#ccffcc style Apache3 fill:#ccffcc style MIT fill:#ccffee style GPL fill:#cce5ff style Match fill:#e5ccff style Start fill:#e1f5ff

Quick Reference Decision Path

Path 1: Private/Restricted

START → ITAR/EAR? YES → PRIVATE (Contact legal)

Path 2: Commercial

START → ITAR/EAR? NO → Commercial license? YES → Contact Tech Transfer

Path 3: Collaborative (Default)

START → ITAR/EAR? NO → Commercial? NO → Collaborative? YES → Apache 2.0

Path 4: Copyleft

START → ITAR/EAR? NO → Commercial? NO → Collaborative? NO → Derivatives open? YES → GPL-3.0

Path 5: Simple Utility

START → ITAR/EAR? NO → Commercial? NO → Collaborative? NO → Derivatives open? NO → Simple? YES → MIT or Apache 2.0

Path 6: Standard Project (Most Common)

START → ITAR/EAR? NO → Commercial? NO → Collaborative? NO → Derivatives open? NO → Simple? NO → Apache 2.0 ✓

Decision Matrix

Question Answer Action
Contains ITAR/EAR? Yes ❌ Keep PRIVATE, contact legal
Commercial license exists? Yes ⚠️ Contact tech transfer
External collaboration? Yes 🤝 Match partner or use Apache 2.0
Must derivatives be open? Yes 🔒 Use GPL-3.0 or AGPL-3.0
Simple utility/library? Yes ✨ Use MIT (or Apache 2.0)
Standard research project - ✅ Use Apache 2.0 (default)

Most Common Answer

👉 Apache 2.0 - Covers ~80% of MBARI projects

This is MBARI's default for:

  • Research tools and libraries
  • Data processing software
  • Instrument control code
  • Analysis packages
  • Visualization tools
  • Machine learning models
  • Web applications
  • APIs and services

When to Ask for Help

Contact engineering lead or legal if:

  • ❓ Uncertain about ITAR/EAR status
  • ❓ Complex multi-party collaboration
  • ❓ Potential commercial applications
  • ❓ Modifying existing open-source code
  • ❓ Grant requirements are unclear
  • ❓ Working with export-controlled data

Better to ask than assume!

License Cheat Sheet

License Key Feature Use When
Apache 2.0 ✅ Patent protection Default for most projects
MIT Simple & clear Small utilities, low complexity
BSD-3-Clause Similar to MIT Legacy compatibility needed
GPL-3.0 Strong copyleft Derivatives must stay open
AGPL-3.0 Network copyleft Web services must stay open