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ADR-0016: Relicense the tree to Apache 2.0

Date: 2026-08-31 Status: accepted

Context

daari shipped Apache 2.0 from the first commit through v1.2.0. #202 moved main to PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 so commercial use needed a separate license. #227 asked whether to keep NC, split daemon vs fleet, or return the whole tree to an OSI license.

Visibility is blocked by distribution, not SPDX — but NC also blocked saying “open source,” and enterprises cannot evaluate the daemon next to MIT LiteLLM. The maintainer chose a full OSI return, not the hybrid.

Decision

The entire repository is licensed under Apache License 2.0.

  • Not the hybrid (Apache daemon / commercial fleet).
  • Not MIT. Apache matches v1.2.0 and includes the patent grant.
  • Public copy may say open source. It must not describe the current license as PolyForm Noncommercial or “source-available.”
  • v1.3.0 as released remains a PolyForm NC artifact; this ADR applies to main after this change.

Consequences

Anyone may use, modify, and sell daari, including a hosted competitor. Commercial-license revenue from the daemon is off the table unless a later ADR carves features out. CONTRIBUTING grants are Apache 2.0 only. PyPI classifier and Homebrew license must stay Apache-2.0.