phpBB :: Knowledge base

MOD Licensing

phpBB is released under the GNU General Public License v. 2 (GPL) which states, in simple terms, that if a script requires another script that is released under the GPL, then that script also needs to be released under the GPL. Most MODs require phpBB to work so most MODs need to be released under the GPL.

There are instances where parts of MODs don't have to be released under GPL. Some of these cases would be if the script had code in it that didn't require php to work. Examples of this would be a class with FTP functions, a class that reads XML files, or a class that connects to another site. These parts do not have to be released under the GPL but what license the code is released under needs to be clearly stated.

All MODs will have some part of it that needs to be released under GPL. These parts are usually what is in the install script or in other words, the part that integrates the script in to phpBB.

We recommend that everyone releases all parts of their MODs under the GPL. If you choose to not release every part of your MOD under GPL, the license that you choose needs to be something that makes sense and we can work with. Do not have a license saying that the code can only be released at your site and then submit it to our database. We would be breaking your license if we distributed the code. Also do not have a commerical license and require people to pay to use your code. We will not sell your script.