What License Governs the Distribution of libsvtav1

This article provides a clear overview of the licensing terms governing the open-source distribution of libsvtav1, the Scalable Video Technology for AV1. It explains the specific legal framework under which developers can use, modify, and distribute this popular video encoding library.

The open-source distribution of libsvtav1 is governed by the BSD 3-Clause Clear License. This is a highly permissive open-source license that allows for broad reuse, modification, and distribution of the software.

In addition to the BSD 3-Clause Clear License, the software is subject to the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) Patent License 1.0. This patent license is crucial because it grants royalty-free patent rights from the authors and contributors to anyone deploying the library.

Under this licensing model, developers and organizations are permitted to: * Modify and Redistribute: Alter the source code and distribute both original and modified versions in source or binary form. * Use Commercially: Integrate the library into commercial applications and hardware without paying royalties.

The “Clear” variation of the BSD 3-Clause license explicitly states that the license itself does not grant any implied patent rights. This is why the companion AOM Patent License is included, ensuring that users have the necessary legal protections and patent grants required to utilize the AV1 video standard safely.