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Software Licenses

EasyLayer is open-source software, but different packages use different licenses based on their purpose and community needs.

Quick Overview​

PackageLicenseCommercial UseMust Share Modifications
@easylayer/coreMIT✅ Yes❌ No
@easylayer/transport-sdkMIT✅ Yes❌ No
@easylayer/bitcoin-crawlerAGPL-3.0✅ Yes*✅ Yes (if network service)*

*See details below

MIT License (Permissive)​

Packages​

  • @easylayer/core
  • @easylayer/transport-sdk
  • Other core infrastructure packages

What You Can Do​

✅ Use commercially
✅ Modify
✅ Distribute
✅ Sublicense
✅ Private use
✅ Keep modifications private

What You Must Do​

  • Include original copyright notice
  • Include MIT license text

What You Can't Do​

  • Hold us liable
  • Claim warranty

Perfect For​

  • Building commercial products
  • Internal company tools
  • Closed-source applications
  • Maximum flexibility

Read Full MIT License: https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT

AGPL-3.0 License (Copyleft)​

Packages​

  • @easylayer/bitcoin-crawler
  • Other blockchain crawler packages

What You Can Do​

✅ Use commercially
✅ Modify
✅ Distribute
✅ Private use

What You MUST Do​

If you run modified AGPL software as a network service:

  • Publish your complete source code
  • License modifications under AGPL-3.0
  • Provide prominent notice to users
  • Include build and installation instructions
  • Make source available over the network

What is "Network Service"?​

  • ✅ HTTP APIs using the crawler
  • ✅ Internal company services accessed remotely
  • ✅ SaaS offerings
  • ✅ WebSocket endpoints
  • ✅ Any remote access by users

What is NOT "Network Service"?​

  • ❌ Running crawler locally on your laptop
  • ❌ Desktop application (no network access)
  • ❌ Using unmodified version

The Key Difference from GPL​

GPL: Only share if you distribute binaries
AGPL: Share if users interact over network

This prevents "SaaS loophole" where companies run modified GPL software as services without sharing improvements.

Why We Chose AGPL for Crawlers​

We want Bitcoin Crawler improvements to benefit everyone. AGPL ensures:

  • Commercial use is allowed ✅
  • But improvements come back to community ✅
  • Can't create proprietary forks as services ❌
  • Fair exchange: use our work, share yours back ✅

AGPL Compliance Examples​

✅ Compliant:

  • Using unmodified @easylayer/bitcoin-crawler
  • Modifying crawler for local/desktop use
  • Publishing your modifications on GitHub under AGPL
  • Contributing improvements back to EasyLayer

❌ Non-Compliant (Copyright Violation):

  • Modifying crawler, offering it as API, not sharing code
  • Creating proprietary SaaS using modified crawler
  • Running modified crawler in company without publishing source
  • Claiming to comply but hiding actual running code

Read Full AGPL-3.0 License: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.en.html

Choosing the Right Package​

Need MIT? Use:​

  • @easylayer/core for core functionality
  • @easylayer/transport-sdk for client communications
  • Build your own crawler using MIT-licensed components

Need AGPL? Use:​

  • @easylayer/bitcoin-crawler for full Bitcoin indexing
  • Ready-to-use, battle-tested crawler
  • Contribute improvements back to community

Want Closed-Source Service?​

Option 1: Use only MIT-licensed packages and build your own crawler

Option 2: Comply with AGPL and open-source your modifications

Option 3: Contact us about commercial licensing: commercial@easylayer.io

Dual Licensing (Future)​

We may offer commercial licenses for AGPL packages in the future for companies that:

  • Cannot open-source their modifications
  • Need proprietary features
  • Require support and indemnification

Interested? Email: commercial@easylayer.io

FAQ​

Q: Can I use @easylayer/bitcoin-crawler in my company internally?
A: Yes! But if employees/users access it over a network (even internal), you must publish your modifications.

Q: I haven't modified the crawler, just configured it. Must I share?
A: No. Configuration files and custom models you write aren't modifications. AGPL applies to crawler code itself.

Q: Can I run AGPL crawler behind my API without sharing?
A: No. API is network service. You must publish modifications.

Q: Can I sell services using AGPL crawler?
A: Yes! AGPL allows commercial use. But you must share your code.

Q: What if I just use it locally?
A: No obligation to share. AGPL only triggers on network use.

Q: How do I properly comply with AGPL?
A:

  1. Fork the repo on GitHub
  2. Publish your modifications there
  3. In your service, link prominently to your fork
  4. Ensure your fork includes build instructions

Q: Can I get sued for AGPL violation?
A: Yes. AGPL violations are copyright infringement. We take compliance seriously.

Still confused? Email: legal@easylayer.io

License Texts​

View official license texts:

Each package contains a LICENSE file. That file is authoritative.

Contributing​

When you contribute to EasyLayer:

  • Code contributions are under the package's existing license
  • You represent you have rights to contribute
  • See Contributing Guidelines: https://github.com/easylayer/

Questions?​

Licensing questions: legal@easylayer.io
Commercial licensing: commercial@easylayer.io
General questions: hello@easylayer.io

Not legal advice. Consult your lawyer for compliance questions.

EasyLayer
Remote-first organization
European Union