We relicensed HyCanvas from ELv2 to AGPL. Here’s why

说明与用途

HyCanvas 从 ELv2 迁移到 AGPL‑3.0‑only，以符合 OSI 开源标准，允许托管和内部使用，并支持双重许可商业模式。

问题

HyCanvas was under Elastic License 2.0, which limited hosting and made it not OSI‑approved, conflicting with the product’s open‑source positioning.

结果

HyCanvas now meets OSI open‑source definition, allows hosting and internal use, and supports a dual‑licensing business model while maintaining clear trademark guidance.

工作流

• 1. Release v0.3.17 with AGPL license.
• 2. Ship license files (LICENSE, NOTICE, COMMERCIAL.md, TRADEMARKS.md) in all artifacts.
• 3. Audit dependencies’ licenses (e.g., @imgly/background‑removal is AGPL‑3.0).
• 4. Publish trademark policy to distinguish official builds.
• 5. Communicate changes in release notes and FAQ.

证据

Everything up to v0.3.16 was under the Elastic License 2.0 (ELv2). From v0.3.17 onwards the code is under the GNU Affero General Public License v3, AGPL-3.0-only.

来源

You may not provide the software to others as a hosted or managed service that gives them a substantial set of its features.

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The AGPL closes that gap with one rule: if you distribute HyCanvas, or let people use a modified version over a network, you offer them the complete source of your version under the same license.

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Ship the license files in every artifact.

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Audit your dependencies' licenses first.

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