# Can I train an AI model on ODbL 1.0 material?

**Short answer:** Training a model: Needs review. Training a model you use commercially: Needs review.

Open Data Commons Open Database License v1.0 (ODbL-1.0): Use, share and adapt the database for any purpose; credit the source, keep adapted databases you publicly use open under the ODbL, and do not lock them away with technical measures without an open copy.

## Training a model — Needs review

License: [Open Data Commons Open Database License v1.0](https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/) (`ODbL-1.0`, curated)

- The ODbL distinguishes derivative databases (share-alike) from produced works (attribution only). Whether a model trained on the database is a derivative database or a produced work is not settled. A human reviewer should confirm this use for your case.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, share_alike, keep_open
## Training a model you use commercially — Needs review

License: [Open Data Commons Open Database License v1.0](https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/) (`ODbL-1.0`, curated)

- The ODbL distinguishes derivative databases (share-alike) from produced works (attribution only). Whether a model trained on the database is a derivative database or a produced work is not settled. A human reviewer should confirm this use for your case.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, share_alike, keep_open

## 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.
- Covers the database; contents may carry their own rights (section 2.1).
- Sublicensing is prohibited: each recipient receives a license directly from the licensor (section 4.8).

## Sources
- [Open Data Commons Open Database License v1.0: official text](https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/)
- [ODbL-1.0 on the SPDX License List](https://spdx.org/licenses/ODbL-1.0.html)

## Check it yourself (free, no key)
```json
{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "ODbL-1.0",
    "intended_use": {
      "model_training": true
    }
  }
}
```
REST: POST https://www.rightshold.com/v1/licenses/check

_Computed from Rightshold's license profiles; not legal advice. Updated 2026-10-19. JSON: https://www.rightshold.com/answers/can-i-train-ai-on-odbl-1-0.json_