# Can I use a PyPI package in closed-source software?

**Short answer:** A BSD-3-Clause package, shipped closed-source: Yes. An LGPL-3.0 package, distributed: Yes. A GPL-3.0 package, modified and distributed: Yes.

It depends on the package's declared license; MIT, BSD and Apache-2.0 are common on PyPI. Pass the project URL as source_url and Rightshold reads it.

## A BSD-3-Clause package, shipped closed-source — Yes

License: [BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License](https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause) (`BSD-3-Clause`, curated)

- Every use you described is granted by BSD 3-Clause, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, no_endorsement
## An LGPL-3.0 package, distributed — Yes

License: [GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.html) (`LGPL-3.0-only`, curated)

- Every use you described is granted by LGPL 3.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, share_alike, source_disclosure
## A GPL-3.0 package, modified and distributed — Yes

License: [GNU General Public License v3.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html) (`GPL-3.0-only`, curated)

- Every use you described is granted by GPL 3.0, and nothing you described is prohibited.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, share_alike, source_disclosure

## Context
- The declared license is the publisher's claim; check the LICENSE file shipped with the package.

## Sources
- [PyPI core metadata: License-Expression](https://packaging.python.org/en/latest/specifications/core-metadata/#license-expression)

## Check it yourself (free, no key)
```json
{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "BSD-3-Clause",
    "intended_use": {
      "commercial_use": true,
      "redistribution": 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-use-a-pypi-package-in-closed-source-software.json_