# What is the difference between LGPL-2.1 and LGPL-3.0?

**Short answer:** Shipping an app that links an LGPL-3.0 library: Yes.

Both are weak copyleft library licenses; LGPL-3.0 is written as extra permissions on top of GPL-3.0 and inherits its patent and anti-tivoization terms.

## Shipping an app that links an LGPL-3.0 library — 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

## Duties and notes compared
- **LGPL-2.1-only**: duties attribution, license_notice, state_changes, share_alike, source_disclosure. The copyleft duties apply to the library and modified versions of it, not to an application that only links to it (section 5). Each recipient receives a license from the original licensor; sublicensing is not allowed (section 10).
- **LGPL-3.0-only**: duties attribution, license_notice, share_alike, source_disclosure. The copyleft duties apply to the library and modified versions of it, not to an application that only links to it.

Combined in one work: **needs_review**.

## Context
- Devices that ship LGPL-3.0 code must let users install modified versions of the library (installation information).

## Sources
- [GNU LGPL v3.0](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.html)
- [GNU LGPL v2.1](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/lgpl-2.1.html)

## Check it yourself (free, no key)
```json
{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "LGPL-3.0-only",
    "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 2026-10-23. JSON: https://www.rightshold.com/answers/lgpl-2-1-vs-lgpl-3-0.json_