# Licensing
PulseDB (`pulsehive-db` on crates.io) is **dual-licensed**. You may use it under **either**:
1. The **GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0-only)** — the open-source license in [LICENSE](LICENSE); or
2. A **commercial license** — for proprietary use without AGPL obligations.
The crate's SPDX metadata (`license = "AGPL-3.0-only"`) declares the open-source option; the commercial option is offered separately under the terms below.
## When the AGPL-3.0 license is enough
The AGPL-3.0 is free and works for:
- Open-source projects (your project is also AGPL-compatible).
- Internal/private use that you do **not** offer to third parties over a network.
- Evaluation, research, and experimentation.
**Key AGPL obligation:** if you modify PulseDB and make it available to others over a network (SaaS, hosted API, etc.), you must offer the complete corresponding source of your modified version under the AGPL-3.0.
## When you need a commercial license
A commercial license removes the AGPL's copyleft/network obligations. It is intended for:
- Shipping PulseDB inside a **closed-source** product.
- Offering a **network service** built on PulseDB without releasing your source.
- Any use where AGPL-3.0 compliance is incompatible with your distribution model.
## How to obtain a commercial license
Contact **praveensingh2897@gmail.com** with a short description of your intended use. We will respond with commercial terms.
## Contributions
Unless you state otherwise, any contribution you submit for inclusion in PulseDB is provided under the **AGPL-3.0-only** license and may also be offered by the maintainers under the commercial license above. See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
## Questions
Licensing questions: **praveensingh2897@gmail.com**.