entire purpose of this repo is to provide a stable link for the licenses
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-binding overview for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Organizations must consult qualified legal counsel before adopting any license. Only the full license text is legally binding.
JACX-ANCSA-R v2.0 (Jan 2025): Foundation license for creative works + software. Strict NonCommercial interpretation. No monetization except minimal distribution costs. 17 sections, ~13.5k words.
JACX-ANCSA-R v2.1 (Nov 2025): Enhanced version with AI training protections, trademark provisions, contributor governance, and compliance frameworks. Strict NonCommercial. 25 sections, ~19k words.
JACX-GMG v1.0 (Nov 2025): Gaming-specific license enabling content creator monetization, mod donations, tournaments with prizes, and fan commerce while reserving commercial game distribution rights. Permissive NonCommercial interpretation for community activities. 27 sections, ~21k words.
Core Difference: ANCSA-R = "no money related to the work." GMG = "no commercial distribution of the game, but monetize your creative work about it freely.
Are you licensing a video game?
│
├─ NO → ANCSA-R
│ │
│ └─ Need AI protection, trademark, contributor governance?
│ ├─ YES → ANCSA-R v2.1
│ └─ NO → ANCSA-R v2.0
│
└─ YES → More questions
│
└─ Want content creators to promote your game on YouTube/Twitch?
├─ NO → ANCSA-R v2.1
│
└─ YES → JACX-GMG v1.0
│
└─ Want modding community with donation support?
├─ NO → Reconsider ANCSA-R
│
└─ YES → Want competitive tournaments?
├─ NO → Reconsider choice
│
└─ YES → JACX-GMG v1.0 is the right fit
| Feature | ANCSA-R v2.0 | ANCSA-R v2.1 | JACX-GMG v1.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Use | General software/creative | General software/creative | Video games only |
| Release Date | Jan 2025 | Nov 2025 | Nov 2025 |
| Sections | 17 | 25 | 27 |
| Length | ~13.5k words | ~19k words | ~21k words |
| Based On | Original | v2.0 enhanced | v2.1 adapted |
| MONETIZATION | |||
| Content Creator Revenue | ❌ Commercial use | ❌ Commercial use | ✅ Unlimited (YouTube, Twitch, sponsors) |
| Streaming Monetization | ❌ Prohibited | ❌ Prohibited | ✅ Platform ads, subs, donations |
| Mod Donations | ❌ Unclear/prohibited | ❌ Unclear/prohibited | ✅ Permitted (no paywalling) |
| Mod Platform Ads | ❌ Commercial | ❌ Commercial | ✅ Revenue sharing allowed |
| Fan Merchandise | ❌ Prohibited | ❌ Prohibited | ✅ With original elements |
| Tournaments with Prizes | ❌ Not addressed | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Framework provided |
| Entry Fees | ❌ Not addressed | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Allowed (licensor share) |
| CORE PROVISIONS | |||
| Attribution Required | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Simplified for UGC |
| ShareAlike Requirement | ✅ All derivatives | ✅ All derivatives | ✅ Mods only (UGC exempt) |
| Source Availability | ✅ Required | ✅ Required | ✅ Required for mods |
| Relinking Requirements | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Extensive | ❌ Removed |
| Patent Grant | ✅ Basic | ✅ Enhanced | ✅ Gaming-adapted |
| Commercial License Needed | ✅ All commercial | ✅ All commercial | ✅ Distribution only |
| MODERN PROTECTIONS | |||
| AI Training Restrictions | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Comprehensive | 🟡 Prohibited (academic exception) |
| Model Transparency Req. | ❌ No | ✅ Required | ❌ Not applicable |
| Synthetic Data Rules | ❌ No | ✅ ShareAlike | ❌ Not addressed |
| Trademark Provisions | 🟡 Basic | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Community-friendly |
| Contributor Governance | 🟡 Informal | ✅ Formalized | ✅ Formalized |
| Export Control | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Simplified |
| Data Protection | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ GDPR/CCPA | ✅ Gaming-focused |
| Willful Breach Definition | 🟡 Subjective | ✅ Objective standards | ✅ Objective standards |
| GAMING-SPECIFIC | |||
| User-Generated Content | ❌ Not defined | ❌ Not defined | ✅ Separate category |
| Content Creator Rights | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Explicit safe harbor |
| Modding Framework | 🟡 Basic | 🟡 Basic | ✅ Comprehensive |
| Tournament Framework | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Complete structure |
| Prize Pool Rules | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ 0-20% licensor share |
| Entry Fee Rules | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ 0-50% licensor share |
| Server Hosting Guidance | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Detailed |
| Community Standards | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Section 21 |
| Platform ToS Guidance | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Section 22 |
| Term | ANCSA-R v2.0/v2.1 | JACX-GMG v1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Work/Game | "Work" (general) | "Game" (specific) |
| Content | "Licensed Material" | "Game Content" |
| Code | "Covered Code" | "Game Code" |
| User Content | Not defined | "User-Generated Content" (exempt from ShareAlike) |
| NonCommercial | No monetary compensation | Community monetization OK, no commercial distribution |
| Donation | Not defined | Strict voluntary payment definition |
| Content Creator | Not defined | Person creating UGC |
| Monetized Platform | Not defined | YouTube/Twitch-style services |
| Tournament | Not defined | Organized competitive event |
| Mod | Modification (general) | Add-on requiring base game |
| Total Conversion | Not defined | Standalone derivative game |
- Software library, tool, or general creative work
- Want maximum control over all monetization
- Simple framework sufficient
- Not concerned about AI training
- Released before AI concerns emerged
- Software library, tool, or general creative work
- Want AI training protection
- Need trademark provisions
- Multi-contributor project
- Export control or data protection requirements
- Want modern legal hardening
- Video game or interactive entertainment
- Want content creator promotion (free marketing)
- Want thriving modding community
- Want competitive tournament scene
- Will rely on organic community growth
- Want to reserve only distribution rights
- Community monetization is strategic benefit
| Activity | ANCSA-R v2.0/v2.1 | JACX-GMG v1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Personal use/gameplay | ✅ Permitted | ✅ Permitted |
| YouTube monetization | ❌ Commercial | ✅ Permitted |
| Twitch subscriptions | ❌ Commercial | ✅ Permitted |
| Sponsorship deals | ❌ Commercial | ✅ Permitted |
| Mod donations (no paywall) | ❌ Unclear | ✅ Permitted |
| Mod donations (paywalled) | ❌ Commercial | ❌ Prohibited |
| Mod on ad-supported platform | ❌ Commercial | ✅ Permitted |
| Fan art sales | ❌ Prohibited | ✅ With original elements |
| Tournament with $500 prizes | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ No obligations |
| Tournament with $5K prizes | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Licensor share (0-20%) |
| Entry fees | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Licensor share (0-50%) |
| Selling the work/game itself | ❌ Requires license | ❌ Requires license |
| Commercial distribution | ❌ Requires license | ❌ Requires license |
| AI training (commercial) | ❌ Requires license | ❌ Prohibited |
| AI training (academic) | ❌ Requires license (v2.1: strict) | ✅ Permitted with conditions |
- Personal NonCommercial use
- Modification and redistribution (NonCommercial)
- Academic/educational use
- Government use
- Charging minimal distribution costs ($20 safe harbor)
- ✅ Unlimited content creator monetization (YouTube, Twitch, sponsors)
- ✅ Streaming with any revenue model
- ✅ Mod distribution with donations (no paywalling)
- ✅ Mods on ad-supported platforms (revenue sharing)
- ✅ Tournaments with unlimited prizes
- ✅ Entry fees for tournaments
- ✅ Fan merchandise with original creative elements
- ✅ Community server hosting with donation support
- ✅ Sponsorship revenue (for content/tournaments)
- Commercial distribution without license
- Removing attribution
- Violating ShareAlike (for derivatives)
- Any monetization beyond minimal distribution costs
- Platform-based revenue (YouTube ads, etc.)
- Donations beyond distribution costs
- Advertising-supported distribution
- Paywalling mods or requiring payment for access
- Commercial game distribution without license
- Selling game access or standalone modified games
- Gambling/wagering services
- AI training (except academic with conditions)
| Requirement | ANCSA-R v2.0/v2.1 | JACX-GMG v1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Source code for mods | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Source for creative assets | 🟡 Encouraged | ❌ Exempt (Game Content) |
| Relinking capability | ✅ Required (3 methods) | ❌ Not required |
| Build instructions | ✅ Required | ✅ Required (for code) |
| Anti-restriction rules | ✅ Extensive | 🟡 Anti-cheat allowed |
| User Product installation | ✅ Required | ❌ Not applicable |
v2.0 → v2.1 Changes:
- Added 8 new sections
- AI/ML comprehensive restrictions
- Trademark protections
- Contributor governance
- Export control
- Data protection
- Willful breach definition
- Licensor succession
v2.1 → GMG v1.0 Changes:
- Complete NonCommercial redefinition
- User-Generated Content category (ShareAlike exempt)
- Content creator safe harbor
- Modding donation framework
- Tournament framework with licensor participation
- Removed relinking requirements
- Gaming-specific terminology
- Simplified AI restrictions (academic exception)
- Community standards provisions
- Platform ToS guidance
- Commercial licenses (all commercial use)
- Tight control = maximum licensing revenue
- No community monetization = no organic marketing
- Commercial distribution licenses (storefronts, publishers)
- Tournament participation (optional 0-20% prizes, 0-50% entry fees)
- Community growth = organic marketing value
- Reduced control = community-driven promotion
| Platform Type | ANCSA-R | JACX-GMG |
|---|---|---|
| Steam/Epic/Console stores | ❌ Requires commercial license | ❌ Requires commercial license |
| YouTube/Twitch | ❌ Content monetization prohibited | ✅ Full monetization support |
| Nexus Mods/ModDB | 🟡 Unclear (ads?) | ✅ Full support with ads |
| itch.io (free) | ✅ If truly free | ✅ Supported |
| itch.io (paid) | ❌ Commercial | ❌ Commercial distribution |
| Linux distributions | ❌ NonCommercial rejected | ❌ NonCommercial rejected |
| npm/pip/Maven | ❌ NonCommercial rejected | ❌ Not applicable |
| Tournament platforms | ❌ Not addressed | ✅ Supported |
v2.0 → v2.1: Straightforward upgrade. Enhanced protections, backward compatible. Recommended for all projects.
ANCSA-R → GMG: Strategic shift. Only for games. Requires community management readiness. Expands permitted activities significantly. Plan transition carefully.
New Projects: Select based on:
- Game? → GMG
- Want community monetization? → GMG
- Want maximum control? → ANCSA-R v2.1
- Simple general project? → ANCSA-R v2.0
ANCSA-R Philosophy: "I control all commercial exploitation. Community can use NonCommercially only. I monetize through commercial licenses."
JACX-GMG Philosophy: "I control commercial distribution. Community can monetize their creative work about my game freely. I benefit from organic growth and can participate in major tournaments."
Remember: This overview is NOT legally binding and does NOT constitute legal advice. Only the complete license text is authoritative. Consult qualified legal counsel before adopting any license for your project.
License Steward: Lakunake
Overview Version: 1.0
Date: November 2025