# Is JULIA suitable for the development of proprietary derived-softwares?

**URL:** <https://discourse.julialang.org/t/is-julia-suitable-for-the-development-of-proprietary-derived-softwares/7912>\
**Category:** General Usage\
**Created:** [December 22, 2017, 5:45am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/is-julia-suitable-for-the-development-of-proprietary-derived-softwares/7912 "2017-12-22T05:45:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 19

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**Author:** ![ihnorton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/ihnorton/32/26_2.png) [@ihnorton](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/ihnorton)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/is-julia-suitable-for-the-development-of-proprietary-derived-softwares/7912/19 "2017-12-22T16:29:30Z")

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> [@NKC](#):
>
> I do not understand why web page says Julia is under GPL. By “GPL”, does it mean GPL and LGPL licenses?

Example 1: you build Julia yourself from source with `USE_GPL_LIBS=0`. The Julia source code is under MIT, except the interface subdirectories noted in `LICENSE.md` which are excluded from the system image by `USE_GPL_LIBS=0`. No GPL code is linked or loaded in the system image. You can embed in a proprietary application and distribute\* without any GPL obligation (MIT license applies).

Example 2: you link your application against the Julia download distribution, which loads GPL code and links to GPL libraries. If you distribute your application, then the GPL applies.

> [@NKC](#):
>
> I mean for example what happens when USE\_GPL\_LIBS=0 flag is used. Are GMP, LIBGIT2, MBEDTLS, MPFR and SUITESPARSE removed during compilation?

The libraries will never be compiled. The source shouldn’t even be downloaded.

> [@NKC](#):
>
> JuliaPro compiled with USE\_GPL\_LIBS=0 flag?

That would probably be a good guess, but I don’t know (I don’t work for Julia Computing).

\*Again, if this will impact your business: _talk to an actual lawyer who knows something about open source!_. There are also open source compliance companies, and Julia Computing mentions that an “indemnity contract” is available for [Julia Pro](https://juliacomputing.com/products/juliapro.html) (whether that covers open source compliance specifically, I don’t know – contact them directly).

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