{
  "question": "Can I train an AI model on GPL 3.0 material?",
  "slug": "can-i-train-ai-on-gpl-3-0",
  "url": "https://www.rightshold.com/answers/can-i-train-ai-on-gpl-3-0",
  "short_answer": "Training a model: Needs review. Training a model you use commercially: Needs review.",
  "framing": "GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0-only): Run, study, change and share the software, including commercially. If you convey it or a work based on it, you must do so under the GPL with the corresponding source.",
  "checks": [
    {
      "label": "Training a model",
      "license": "GPL-3.0-only",
      "license_name": "GNU General Public License v3.0",
      "intended_use": {
        "model_training": true
      },
      "verdict": "needs_review",
      "answer": "Needs review",
      "findings": [
        "The license grants broad rights but attaches conditions (such as keeping notices) to copies and adaptations. Whether a trained model, or its output, is a copy or adaptation that carries those conditions is legally unsettled, and in some places training may fall under an exception such as fair use. A human reviewer should confirm this use for your case."
      ],
      "duties": [
        "attribution",
        "license_notice",
        "state_changes",
        "share_alike",
        "source_disclosure"
      ],
      "curation": "curated",
      "official_text": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html"
    },
    {
      "label": "Training a model you use commercially",
      "license": "GPL-3.0-only",
      "license_name": "GNU General Public License v3.0",
      "intended_use": {
        "model_training": true,
        "commercial_use": true
      },
      "verdict": "needs_review",
      "answer": "Needs review",
      "findings": [
        "The license grants broad rights but attaches conditions (such as keeping notices) to copies and adaptations. Whether a trained model, or its output, is a copy or adaptation that carries those conditions is legally unsettled, and in some places training may fall under an exception such as fair use. A human reviewer should confirm this use for your case."
      ],
      "duties": [
        "attribution",
        "license_notice",
        "state_changes",
        "share_alike",
        "source_disclosure"
      ],
      "curation": "curated",
      "official_text": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html"
    }
  ],
  "context": [
    "Whether a trained model is a copy or adaptation of its training data is legally unsettled; where the license does not settle it, Rightshold marks training for human review instead of guessing.",
    "Sublicensing is not allowed; every recipient receives a license from the original licensors (sections 2 and 10).",
    "Running the software, including as a network service, does not by itself trigger the duty to share source; conveying copies does."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "GNU General Public License v3.0: official text",
      "url": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html"
    },
    {
      "title": "GPL-3.0-only on the SPDX License List",
      "url": "https://spdx.org/licenses/GPL-3.0-only.html"
    }
  ],
  "check_it_yourself": {
    "mcp": {
      "tool": "check_license",
      "arguments": {
        "license": "GPL-3.0-only",
        "intended_use": {
          "model_training": true
        }
      }
    },
    "rest": "POST https://www.rightshold.com/v1/licenses/check"
  },
  "computed_from": "Rightshold license profiles at render time; not legal advice",
  "updated": "2026-10-19"
}