{
  "question": "Can I use GPL-2.0 code commercially?",
  "slug": "can-i-use-gpl-2-0-code-commercially",
  "url": "https://www.rightshold.com/answers/can-i-use-gpl-2-0-code-commercially",
  "short_answer": "Selling or shipping a program with GPL-2.0 code: Yes. Running it as an online service without distributing it: Yes.",
  "framing": "GPL-2.0 allows commercial use and sale; anyone you distribute the program to must get the complete source under GPL-2.0.",
  "checks": [
    {
      "label": "Selling or shipping a program with GPL-2.0 code",
      "license": "GPL-2.0-only",
      "license_name": "GNU General Public License v2.0 only",
      "intended_use": {
        "commercial_use": true,
        "redistribution": true
      },
      "verdict": "permitted",
      "answer": "Yes",
      "findings": [
        "Every use you described is granted by GPL 2.0, and nothing you described is prohibited."
      ],
      "duties": [
        "attribution",
        "license_notice",
        "state_changes",
        "share_alike",
        "source_disclosure"
      ],
      "curation": "curated",
      "official_text": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html"
    },
    {
      "label": "Running it as an online service without distributing it",
      "license": "GPL-2.0-only",
      "license_name": "GNU General Public License v2.0 only",
      "intended_use": {
        "commercial_use": true,
        "deployment": true
      },
      "verdict": "permitted",
      "answer": "Yes",
      "findings": [
        "Every use you described is granted by GPL 2.0, and nothing you described is prohibited."
      ],
      "duties": [
        "attribution",
        "license_notice",
        "state_changes",
        "share_alike",
        "source_disclosure"
      ],
      "curation": "curated",
      "official_text": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html"
    }
  ],
  "context": [
    "GPL-2.0 conditions attach to distribution; a hosted service that never ships the program does not trigger them (AGPL-3.0 closes that gap, GPL-2.0 does not).",
    "GPL-2.0-only code cannot be combined with Apache-2.0 code in one program; GPL-2.0-or-later can, by moving to GPL-3.0."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "GNU GPL v2.0",
      "url": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html"
    },
    {
      "title": "GNU GPL FAQ",
      "url": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html"
    }
  ],
  "check_it_yourself": {
    "mcp": {
      "tool": "check_license",
      "arguments": {
        "license": "GPL-2.0-only",
        "intended_use": {
          "commercial_use": true,
          "redistribution": true
        }
      }
    },
    "rest": "POST https://www.rightshold.com/v1/licenses/check"
  },
  "computed_from": "Rightshold license profiles at render time; not legal advice",
  "updated": "2026-10-23"
}