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LICENSES/PLANKA License Guide EN.md
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**PLANKA License Guide**
Version 1.0 - Last updated: May 2, 2025
Version 1.1 - Last updated: May 20, 2025
Related files in English:
- [PLANKA Community License EN.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20EN.md)
- [PLANKA Enterprise License EN.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Enterprise%20License%20EN.md)
- [PLANKA Commercial License EN.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Commercial%20License%20EN.md)
- PLANKA License Guide EN.md (this file)
Related files in German:
- [PLANKA Community License DE.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20DE.md)
- [PLANKA Enterprise License DE.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Enterprise%20License%20DE.md)
- [PLANKA Commercial License DE.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Commercial%20License%20DE.md)
- [PLANKA License Guide DE.md](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20License%20Guide%20DE.md)
---
## PLANKA's "Fair Use License" and the "PLANKA Enterprise License"
## PLANKA's "Fair Use License" and the "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License"
Our [Fair Use License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20EN.md) and our [PLANKA Enterprise License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Enterprise%20License%20EN.md) are based on the [fair-code](http://faircode.io) model.
Our [Fair Use License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20EN.md) and our [PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Commercial%20License%20EN.md) are based on the [fair-code](http://faircode.io) model.
#### Proprietary licenses for enterprise and the "PLANKA Educational License"
### Special licensing for educational & non-profit organizations
We offer proprietary licenses to our enterprise customers, but also the "PLANKA Educational License" for schools and universities. Please contact us for detailed information at [license@planka.group](mailto:license@planka.group).
Educational institutions and non-profit organizations requiring commercial-level features or usage beyond our "Fair Use License" are encouraged to contact us for tailored licensing solutions and educational pricing. We look forward to helping your organization accomplish its mission!
# License FAQs
### What license do you use for PLANKA?
PLANKA uses the [Fair Use License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20EN.md) and the [PLANKA Enterprise License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Enterprise%20License%20EN.md). These licenses are based on the [fair-code](http://faircode.io) model.
PLANKA uses the [Fair Use License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20EN.md) and the [PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Commercial%20License%20EN.md). These licenses are based on the [fair-code](http://faircode.io) model.
### What source code is covered by the PLANKA's "Fair Use License"?
The [Fair Use License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Community%20License%20EN.md) applies to our source code hosted in our [main GitHub repository](https://github.com/plankanban/planka) except:
* Content of branches other than the main branch (usually "master" or "main").
- Content of branches other than the main branch (usually "master" or "main").
* Source code files or other files that contain ".pe." (for "PLANKA Enterprise") in their file names or folder names.
- Source code files or other files that contain ".pe." (for "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise") in their file names or folder names.
* Source code files that are marked as "PLANKA Enterprise" in their file headers or folders.
- Source code files that are marked as "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise" in their file headers or folders.
* Source code in folders that contain separate license files that clearly mark them as "PLANKA Enterprise".
- Source code in folders that contain separate license files that clearly mark them as "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise".
These exceptions are licensed under the [PLANKA Enterprise License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Enterprise%20License%20EN.md).
These exceptions are licensed under the [PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License](https://github.com/plankanban/planka/blob/master/LICENSES/PLANKA%20Commercial%20License%20EN.md).
### What is the "Fair Use License"?
The "Fair Use License" falls under the so-called [fair-code](http://faircode.io) licenses category. PLANKA's license is based on and extends the "Sustainable Use License" introduced by [n8n](https://n8n.io) who's advice was greatly appreciated. With similar goals in mind, we decided to follow their lead and adopt their model for our own needs. [Further below](#why-did-you-choose-this-license) you can read why we chose this license.
The license allows you the free right to use, modify, create derivative works, and redistribute with three limitations:
The license allows you the free right to use, modify, create derivative works, and redistribute under the following conditions:
- You may use or modify the software (a) for personal, hobby, or educational purposes, or (b) inside your own legal entity (including wholly owned subsidiaries) for workflows that are not offered as a paid product or as a cross-company service to any third party.
- You may use or modify PLANKA (a) for personal, hobby, or educational purposes, (b) internally within your own organization, (c) for private hosting for a typical number of friends, family, or personal projects, (d) to provide free access to non-profit organizations (as recognized by applicable tax authorities), or if you are a recognized non-profit organization yourself involving external users into your mission, and (e) public educational institutions for academic/research purposes only.
- You may not alter, remove, or obscure any licensing, copyright, or other notices of the licensor in the software. Any use of the licensor's trademarks is subject to applicable law.
- Sharing accounts/credentials with third parties for business purposes or operating PLANKA as a hosted service for any commercial gain whatsoever is prohibited. Commercial gain includes any form of payment, advertising revenue, data monetization, or indirect commercial benefit or business advantage.
- "You may use the PLANKA name or logo to factually describe that your service incorporates or in other ways uses PLANKA software. Any other trademark use (e.g., in product names or brands, domain names, or marketing material) requires our prior written consent."
- You may not alter, remove, or obscure any licensing, copyright, or other notices from the software provided by the licensor. Any use of the licensor's trademarks is subject to applicable law.
### What is and is NOT allowed under the license in the context of PLANKA's products?
Our license restricts use to "internal business purposes". In practice this means all use is allowed unless you are selling a product, service, or module in which the value derives entirely or substantially from PLANKA functionality.
Our license allows use for "internal business purposes", as well as for personal, hobby, educational, and limited private hosting scenarios. However, it prohibits using PLANKA for any form of commercial gain, such as selling a product or service where the value derives in any form from PLANKA's functionality, operating it as a paid hosted service, monetizing access or user data, or deriving other indirect commercial benefits.
###### Here are some examples that would not be allowed:
##### Here are some examples that would not be allowed:
- White-labeling PLANKA and offering it to your customers or affiliates for money.
@ -66,25 +68,25 @@ Our license restricts use to "internal business purposes". In practice this mean
- Use PLANKA's API to power services for which money is charged.
- Use of PLANKA to connect your own legal entity with legal entities or persons outside your own legal entity.
- Use of PLANKA to connect your own legal entity with legal entities or persons outside your organization in the context of a commercial relationship.
- Use PLANKA to conduct or support any kind of illegal or unlawful activity.
###### All of the following examples are allowed under our license:
##### All of the following examples are allowed under our license:
- Using PLANKA to control your internal processes and manage your internal projects.
- Integrate PLANKA into other internally used products to enhance their capabilities.
- Providing consulting or educational services related to PLANKA, for example, to build or integrate workflows for or in connection with PLANKA or develop custom modules to extend its functionalities.
- Providing consulting or public educational services related to PLANKA, for example, to build or integrate workflows for or in connection with PLANKA or develop custom modules to extend its functionalities.
- Supporting PLANKA, for example, by setting it up or maintaining it on an internal company server.
### Is it allowed to use PLANKA as a backend integration?
If you use PLANKA and its backend and related services outside the boundaries of internal operations and integrations within your own organization, you need to buy a "PLANKA Enterprise License". This also applies if you want to use PLANKA as a core backend infrastructure for third-party applications, services, or a system that is distributed to or accessed by external parties.
If you use PLANKA and its backend services beyond internal operations within your own organization by enabling third-party access for commercial gain, such as sharing accounts with clients or selling a product or service where the value derives in any form from PLANKA's functionality, operating it as a paid hosted service, monetizing access or user data, or deriving other indirect commercial benefits, you are required to purchase a "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License".
Any arrangement that involves sublicensing, repackaging, or otherwise making PLANKA available to external parties or integrating PLANKA into another product to serve as the primary operational engine for that product also requires a valid "PLANKA Enterprise License" or proprietary license available for our enterprise customers.
This includes scenarios where PLANKA serves as core infrastructure for third-party solutions, is accessed by users outside your legal entity as part of a paid or commercial offering, or where you sublicense, repackage, or otherwise make PLANKA available to external parties. Any arrangement that involves integrating PLANKA into another product to serve as the primary operational engine for that product also requires a valid "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License" or proprietary license available for our enterprise customers.
### Can you give me some quick examples to clarify free use vs. enterprise use?
@ -112,9 +114,9 @@ A school or charity bundles PLANKA in a free, public Docker image for students w
##### Example 4: Provide PLANKA logins to clients and affiliates
To facilitate better project feedback, you offer your client and someone from a joint venture access to project boards inside your company. They can now comment on cards and also benefit from PLANKA's real-time update capabilities.
To facilitate better project feedback, you offer your client and someone from a joint venture, both of whom you have a commercial relationship with, access to project boards inside your company. They can now comment on cards and also benefit from PLANKA's real-time update capabilities.
**NOT ALLOWED** under the "Fair Use License". Offering PLANKA as part of a paid service to third parties or providing PLANKA access to third-party users outside your own legal entity requires you to register a "PLANKA Enterprise License".
**NOT ALLOWED** under the "Fair Use License". Offering PLANKA as part of a paid service to third parties or providing PLANKA access to third-party users outside your own legal entity in the context of a commercial relationship requires you to register a "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License".
##### Example 5: Offer PLANKA as a hosted product to other companies
@ -124,19 +126,47 @@ You want to earn money by providing PLANKA to companies, freelancers, and other
---
### Quick "Fair Use License" summary
- Personal, educational, hobby, or internal business use:
Free to use. You can use, modify, and host PLANKA for yourself, your team, or your organization for personal, educational, or internal operational purposes.
- Use by non-profits and public educational institutions:
Free to use for academic or research purposes, provided the organization qualifies as a non-profit under applicable tax laws. No application or special license is required.
- Providing access to third parties for any commercial gain:
Not allowed. Sharing accounts or credentials with third parties for any commercial gain is prohibited under the license, even if you are not directly charging for access.
- Hosting PLANKA as a commercial service:
Not allowed. You may not offer PLANKA as a hosted service or integrate it into a paid product or service where the value substantially comes from PLANKA. This includes advertising revenue, data monetization, or indirect commercial benefit or business advantage.
### What if I want to use PLANKA for something that's not permitted by the license?
You must sign a separate commercial agreement with us. We actively encourage software integrators and technical staff to integrate and connect PLANKA within their other products and use our extensive API to respond to, control, and master processes within their company; we just ask them to sign an agreement laying out the terms of use and the license fees required by PLANKA for using the product. Through PLANKA's API, it is capable of controlling and responding to external systems. You can learn more [here](https://docs.planka.cloud/docs/category/api-reference) or contact us about it.
To exceed the limits of the self-hosted Community version, you'll need a "PLANKA Pro/Enterprise License". Once you register with us, the "Fair Use License" restrictions are not only legally lifted, but you also gain access to the full enterprise feature set.
Alternatively, you can exceed these limits by subscribing to a hosted version - either Community or Pro/Enterprise. This allows, for example, providing accounts for your customers.
If you want to provide PLANKA as a service for other organizations or integrate PLANKA into your own software, you must sign a separate revenue agreement with us. We actively encourage software integrators and technical staff to integrate and connect PLANKA within their other products and use our extensive API to respond to, control, and master processes within their company; we just ask them to sign an agreement laying out the terms of use and the license fees required by PLANKA for using the product. Through PLANKA's API, it is capable of controlling and responding to external systems. You can learn more [here](https://docs.planka.cloud/docs/category/api-reference/) or contact us about it.
If you are unsure whether the use case you have in mind constitutes an internal business purpose or not, take a look at the [examples above](#can-you-give-me-some-quick-examples-to-clarify-free-use-vs-enterprise-use), and if you're still not sure, please contact us at [license@planka.group](mailto:license@planka.group).
### Why don't you use a default open-source license?
### Why isn't there a commercial license for a self-hosted Community version which lifts the "Fair Use License" limits?
We support the self-hosted Community version through our GitHub and Discord community channels, but we can't efficiently provide direct phone or email support for multiple versions while meeting our obligations to paying customers. That's why direct support is reserved exclusively for Pro/Enterprise customers.
However, we do offer professional installation services and monthly-based service contracts for setting up, updating, and monitoring all versions to help organizations get the most out of their PLANKA deployment - please contact us at [license@planka.group](mailto:license@planka.group).
### Why doesn't PLANKA use a default open-source license?
We spend a lot of time creating an easy yet powerful tool that makes controlling and mastering projects a fun experience. Also, we wanted PLANKA to be as widely and freely available as possible while also ensuring that we can build a sustainable and viable business. By making our product free to use, easy to distribute, and source-available, we help everyone access the product. By operating as a business, we can develop and release new features, fix bugs, and provide reliable software at scale long-term.
### Why did you choose this license?
We believe that the "Fair Use License" is beneficial for the community as well as for the developers. Development is a costly enterprise, and giving away a community version for free is a risk that many companies don't survive without selling software or the company. Therefore, many open-source companies live from donations or financial investors. Instead of selling our soul, we sell services and software licenses. This way we continue to grow, code, and support our community. So the short answer is "Live and let live" is how we feel about PLANKA.
We believe that the "Fair Use License" is beneficial for the community as well as for the developers. Development is a costly enterprise, and giving away a Community version for free is a risk that many companies don't survive without selling software or the company. Therefore, many open-source companies live from donations or financial investors. Instead of selling our soul, we sell services and software licenses. This way we continue to grow, code, and support our community. So the short answer is "Live and let live" is how we feel about PLANKA.
Therefore, we are helping to promote [fair-code](https://faircode.io) software with the goal of making it a well-known umbrella term to describe software models like ours. To keep any friction around our proprietary license to an absolute minimum, we focus on two things: