{
  "question": "Can I use DeepSeek License commercially?",
  "slug": "can-i-use-deepseek-license-commercially",
  "url": "https://www.rightshold.com/answers/can-i-use-deepseek-license-commercially",
  "short_answer": "Commercial use: Yes. Commercial use, modified and redistributed: Yes.",
  "framing": "DeepSeek License Agreement (LicenseRef-DeepSeek): Use, reproduce, modify and distribute the model and derivatives, including commercially, under use-based restrictions (Attachment A) that must be passed on in every distribution.",
  "checks": [
    {
      "label": "Commercial use",
      "license": "LicenseRef-DeepSeek",
      "license_name": "DeepSeek License Agreement",
      "intended_use": {
        "commercial_use": true
      },
      "verdict": "permitted",
      "answer": "Yes",
      "findings": [
        "Every use you described is granted by DeepSeek License, and nothing you described is prohibited."
      ],
      "duties": [
        "license_notice",
        "use_restrictions",
        "pass_on_restrictions"
      ],
      "curation": "curated_provisional",
      "official_text": "https://github.com/deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-LLM/blob/main/LICENSE-MODEL"
    },
    {
      "label": "Commercial use, modified and redistributed",
      "license": "LicenseRef-DeepSeek",
      "license_name": "DeepSeek License Agreement",
      "intended_use": {
        "commercial_use": true,
        "modification": true,
        "redistribution": true
      },
      "verdict": "permitted",
      "answer": "Yes",
      "findings": [
        "Every use you described is granted by DeepSeek License, and nothing you described is prohibited."
      ],
      "duties": [
        "license_notice",
        "use_restrictions",
        "pass_on_restrictions"
      ],
      "curation": "curated_provisional",
      "official_text": "https://github.com/deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-LLM/blob/main/LICENSE-MODEL"
    }
  ],
  "context": [
    "Summary — verify against the official license text before relying on it: https://github.com/deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-LLM/blob/main/LICENSE-MODEL",
    "DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1 weights were later released under MIT; check the model card for which license applies."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "DeepSeek License Agreement: official text",
      "url": "https://github.com/deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-LLM/blob/main/LICENSE-MODEL"
    }
  ],
  "check_it_yourself": {
    "mcp": {
      "tool": "check_license",
      "arguments": {
        "license": "LicenseRef-DeepSeek",
        "intended_use": {
          "commercial_use": 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"
}