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61 changes: 43 additions & 18 deletions lfm/help/model-license.mdx
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---
title: "Model License"
title: "LFM Open License User Guide"
description: "Understand how you can use, modify, and distribute Liquid Foundation Models under the LFM Open License v1.0."
---

<Info>Last updated: April 2, 2026</Info>
<Info>Last updated: September 24, 2026</Info>

The **LFM Open License v1.0** governs the use of models we release publicly. This guide explains the license in plain, approachable terms — for the complete legal text, see the [LFM Open License v1.0](https://www.liquid.ai/lfm-open-license-v1.0).
The [LFM Open License v1.0](https://www.liquid.ai/lfm-license) governs the use of models we release publicly under this license. This guide explains the license in plain terms.

For the complete license text, see the [LFM Open License v1.0](https://www.liquid.ai/lfm-license).

## At a Glance

| Question | Answer |
|----------|--------|
| Can I use the models commercially? | Free if your annual revenue is under **$10M USD**. Paid license required above that. |
| Can I use them for research or nonprofit work? | Yes, free with no revenue threshold. |
| Can I modify the models? | Yes, but the $10M revenue threshold still applies to modified models. |
| Can I use the models commercially? | Free if your annual revenue is under **$10 million USD**. A paid license is required above that threshold. |
| Can I use the models for research or nonprofit purposes? | Yes, free with no revenue threshold. |
| Can I modify the models? | Yes, but the **$10 million USD** revenue threshold applies to modified models too. |
| Do I have to open-source my modifications? | No. |
| Do I own my modifications? | You own your modifications. Liquid AI owns the base models, and derivative models remain subject to this license. |
| Can I distribute the models? | Yes, with attribution. |
| Do I own my modifications? | You own your modifications, but Liquid AI owns the base models. Derivative models remain subject to this license. |
| Can I distribute the models? | Yes, subject to the distribution requirements below. |

## Overview

The LFM Open License is based on **Apache 2.0**, granting broad, royalty-free, perpetual rights to use, modify, and distribute our models and their derivatives. The key difference from Apache 2.0 is a **commercial use threshold**: free commercial use is limited to companies with annual revenue under $10 million USD.

## Using the Models

You can use, modify, fine-tune, and distribute the models for any purpose — including commercial products and services.
You can use, modify, fine-tune, and distribute the models for any purpose, including commercial products and services.

<AccordionGroup>

Expand All @@ -40,30 +42,55 @@

## Commercial Use

Companies with annual revenue **under $10 million USD** can use the models at no cost for commercial purposes.
Companies with annual revenue under **$10 million USD** can use the models at no cost for commercial purposes.

If your company's annual revenue exceeds **$10 million USD**, your right to use the models commercially under this license ends. Contact [sales@liquid.ai](mailto:sales@liquid.ai) to obtain a commercial license.

If your company's annual revenue **exceeds $10 million USD**, your right to use the models commercially under this license ends. Contact [sales@liquid.ai](mailto:sales@liquid.ai) to obtain a commercial license.
<AccordionGroup>

<Accordion title="What counts as commercial use?">
Any use for direct or indirect commercial advantage or monetary compensation.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How does the threshold apply if I distribute the models to customers?">
The threshold applies separately to each company using the models commercially. Your company’s revenue determines your right to use and distribute the models commercially. If a downstream customer uses the models commercially, that customer’s own revenue determines whether it needs a commercial license. A customer with annual revenue over **$10 million USD** needs a commercial license from Liquid AI.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I get a commercial license that covers my customers or end users?">
The open license doesn’t automatically cover a downstream customer’s commercial use. If you are interested in a custom commercial license covering your customers or end users, contact [sales@liquid.ai](mailto:sales@liquid.ai) to discuss available options.
</Accordion>

</AccordionGroup>

## Research & Nonprofit Use

Qualified nonprofits (501(c)(3) or equivalent) can use the models for non-commercial or research purposes with **no revenue threshold**.

<AccordionGroup>

<Accordion title="What qualifies as a nonprofit?">
Organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, or equivalent charitable/educational organizations in other jurisdictions.
Organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, or equivalent charitable or educational organizations in other jurisdictions.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What about for-profit schools and education companies?">
For-profit organizations using the models commercially remain subject to the commercial-use threshold.
</Accordion>

</AccordionGroup>

## Distribution Requirements

When distributing the models or derivatives, you must:

- Include a copy of the license
- Retain all copyright and attribution notices
- Include the NOTICE file if one is provided with the model
- Mark any files you have modified

<Accordion title="Can I say that my product uses Liquid AI models?">
Yes. You may say that your product uses Liquid AI models, but the license doesn’t allow broader use of Liquid AI’s trademarks or branding.
</Accordion>

## Termination

The license terminates **automatically and immediately** if you violate any of its terms. Upon termination, you must stop using the models and delete all copies.
Expand All @@ -72,12 +99,10 @@

The LFM Open License is based directly on Apache 2.0. Other than the differences below, the licenses are identical.

| Area | What Changed |
|------|-------------|
| **Conditional License Grants** (Sections 2 & 3) | Copyright and patent grants are explicitly "subject to" the commercial use limitation. |
| **Commercial Use Limitation** (Section 5) | Free commercial use is limited to companies with under $10M in annual revenue. This is the most significant change. |
| **Specific Licensor** | The "Licensor" is explicitly defined as "Liquid AI, Inc." |
| **Termination** (Section 11) | The license terminates automatically if you fail to comply with its terms. |
- **Conditional License Grants (Sections 2 & 3):** The grants for both copyright and patent rights are explicitly "subject to" the commercial use limitation.
- **Commercial Use Limitation (Section 5):** This is the most significant change. The LFM Open License adds a condition that limits free commercial use to companies with under $10 million in annual revenue.
- **Specific Licensor:** The "Licensor" is explicitly defined as "Liquid AI, Inc." for clarity.

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- **Termination Clause (Section 11):** The license terminates automatically if you fail to comply with its terms (namely the commercial use restriction).

## Contact

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