Discover Vendure’s New Licensing Models

Our mission is to change the way teams across the globe build digital commerce experiences. We strongly believe that open-source software will win in this industry, but only the ones with a solid business model that funds the development and operations will survive.

Therefore we are announcing some upcoming changes to our licensing model, to enable a sustainable future of Vendure.

Embracing GPLv3

In our continuous effort to enhance the quality and sustainability of Vendure, we have decided to transition our open-source license from MIT to GPLv3. This change underscores our commitment to maintaining Vendure as a free and open project while ensuring that contributions and derivatives remain open and accessible to everyone. The GPLv3 license aligns with our vision of fostering a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and it provides stronger guarantees for the protection and distribution of our code.

This change is not just about the legal aspects of licensing; it’s about reaffirming our dedication to the open-source community. The GPLv3 license ensures that anyone who modifies and distributes Vendure will also share those modifications, promoting a richer and more innovative ecosystem. We believe that this will lead to more robust and secure code, as more eyes and minds collaborate to improve and refine Vendure.

Furthermore, to accommodate the diverse needs of our users, we are implementing a dual-licensing system. This system allows corporations to safely incorporate Vendure into their solutions under a commercial license, ensuring compliance with their internal policies and requirements. This dual approach balances the freedom and openness of GPLv3 with the practical needs of businesses, fostering a healthy ecosystem where all stakeholders can thrive.

Understanding GPLv3 and its implications

The GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3) is a free software license that ensures end users have the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. It is designed to protect these freedoms by legally binding users to these conditions when they distribute the software.

What GPLv3 allows

Use and Run the Software: You can use the software for any purpose.
Study and Modify the Source Code: Access to the source code is a fundamental right under GPLv3, allowing users to study how the program works and make changes to it.
Share Copies: You can distribute copies of the original software or your modified version to others, provided you also pass on the same freedoms you received.
Distribution of Modified Versions: If you modify the software and distribute it, you must also release the modified source code under the same GPLv3 license.

What GPLv3 does not allow

Proprietary Modifications: You cannot distribute modified versions of the software under a proprietary license. The modified versions must also be licensed under GPLv3.
Closed Source Distribution: Any distributed versions of the software, whether modified or unmodified, must include the source code or make it available.
Additional Restrictions: You cannot impose additional restrictions on the rights provided by the GPLv3. For example, you cannot restrict others from further distributing or modifying the software.

Challenges for use in commercial environments

While GPLv3 offers significant freedoms, companies using Vendure in a commercial environment might find certain obligations challenging. For instance:

Compliance Management: Ensuring full compliance with GPLv3, especially when redistributing software, can be complex and requires diligent tracking and legal oversight.
Modification Sharing Requirements: Companies must share any modifications they make to the Vendure source code when they distribute it, potentially revealing proprietary enhancements to competitors.
Legal Risks: Misunderstanding or failing to comply with GPLv3 terms can lead to legal complications, including the requirement to open source their proprietary software built on top of Vendure.

Advantages of our Commercial License

Proprietary Modifications: A commercial license allows companies to modify and distribute Vendure without the obligation to disclose their source code, which is important to keep their IP a well-kept secret.
Simplified Compliance: Companies can avoid the complexities of GPLv3 compliance, reducing the administrative and legal overhead.
Enhanced Support: Access to premium support and additional features that are not available under the GPLv3 license.

By opting for the commercial license, companies can focus on leveraging Vendure’s capabilities to enhance their products and services without worrying about GPLv3 compliance issues. This not only ensures peace of mind but also supports the continued development and sustainability of the Vendure project. On top of that, the Commercial License also includes some premium features, that are not included with the open source project.

Introducing our new Commercial License

As part of our commitment to sustaining and growing Vendure, we are introducing new licensing options designed to support businesses and partners who rely on our platform.

That's why we are introducing our Commercial License.

This license is tailored for businesses that utilize Vendure in their operations and require additional support and premium features. The commercial license offers enhanced support, access to exclusive features, and compliance guarantees that are essential for enterprise environments. By choosing this license, businesses not only gain valuable resources but also contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of Vendure.

Our Commitment to Excellence

The decision to evolve our licensing reflects our commitment to ensuring Vendure remains at the forefront of e-commerce solutions. We are dedicated to building a robust team that can accelerate development, enhance support, and deliver new features that keep pace with the dynamic needs of the digital world.

With these new licensing options, we aim to create a sustainable model that balances open-source principles with the resources needed to drive continuous innovation. Our goal is to ensure that Vendure not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our community and the broader e-commerce industry.

License Distribution and Version Updates

To ensure a smooth transition and provide clarity on our licensing changes, we have outlined the following plan for the upcoming releases and the introduction of our new licensing system.

Vendure v2.3 Release

We will first release Vendure v2.3, which will still be licensed under the MIT license. This release will serve as a final version under the MIT license, providing our users with a stable and reliable version of Vendure before we transition to the new licensing model.

Transition to GPLv3 and Commercial License

On the 17th of July, we will be launching our commercial license and releasing Vendure v3. This new version will not introduce any new features or breaking changes, ensuring a seamless upgrade from v2.3. The primary change in Vendure v3 will be the adoption of the GPLv3 license, reflecting our commitment to maintaining an open and collaborative development environment.

End of Life for Vendure v2

With the release of Vendure v3, all further development and updates will occur under the v3.x branch. As a result, Vendure v2 will reach its end of life and will no longer receive any updates or support. We highly encourage all users to transition to Vendure v3 to benefit from ongoing improvements, security updates, and new features. We have a lot of new features on our roadmap, which will be communicated in the following weeks. One of them is the rebuild of our Admin Central!

Summary

Vendure v2.3 Release: The final minor version (that brings new features and improvements) under the MIT license, providing stability and reliability.
July 17th Launch: Introduction of our commercial license and release of Vendure v3 under the GPLv3 license.
End of Life for v2: Vendure v2 will reach end of life on 31st of December 2024. No further updates or support for Vendure v2 after that date. As all future development will focus on Vendure v3, we will only release security patches and bug fixes until that date.
Vendure v3 LTS: Vendure v3 will become a LTS version, meaning that customers of our commercial license will receive updates for an extended period.

Commercial Licensing for Enterprises

For companies integrating Vendure into their digital infrastructure, we offer robust commercial licensing options designed to meet your unique needs and ensure you get the most out of our platform. Our commercial license not only provides compliance with internal policies but also delivers a range of premium benefits tailored for enterprise environments.

Why Choose Our Commercial License?

Premium Support: Gain access to our dedicated support team, with premium support services backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA). Our expert team is committed to providing timely and effective solutions to ensure your business operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Enterprise Features: Unlock exclusive enterprise features designed to enhance performance, scalability, and security. These advanced capabilities are tailored to meet the demands of high-traffic, mission-critical environments, ensuring that Vendure can grow alongside your business.
Compliance and Assurance: Our commercial license ensures that your use of Vendure complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. This peace of mind allows you to focus on innovation and growth without worrying about potential licensing issues.
Strategic Partnership: Partner with us to leverage our extensive expertise in e-commerce solutions. As a commercial licensee, you will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with our team, influence the roadmap, and gain insights into future developments.

Get in Touch

We invite companies interested in exploring our commercial license options to contact us for a personalized discussion. Our team is ready to provide detailed information, answer your questions, and help you choose the best licensing option for your needs.

Contact us to discuss how our commercial license can benefit your organization and ensure that you have the support and features necessary to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape.

Join Us on This Journey

We invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Whether you are a developer looking to contribute, a business seeking advanced capabilities, or a community member passionate about open-source software, there are numerous ways to get involved and support the growth of Vendure.

We are confident that these changes will position Vendure for long-term success and enable us to better serve our community and partners. Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we will shape the future of e-commerce with Vendure.