What does licensing mean for me?

Webiva Licensing

Our Terms

Webiva is released under the terms of the Affero GPL Version 3.0 (AGPLv3). If you aren't familiar with the terms of AGPLv3 we highly recommend reviewing the license in detail before using Webiva for any commercial projects. If the terms of the AGPLv3 aren't compatible with your project, please contact us to purchase a commercial license, however be aware that you may need a commercial license for any modules that you use as well.

Why the AGPLv3?

The AGPLv3 was selected specifically because we wanted a hybrid licensing module that encouraged open-source use and development of Webiva while at the same time required companies who wanted to modify Webiva in a closed, commercial manner to purchase a commercial license. Since distribution under the AGPLv3 includes use over a network, companies are required to release their changes even if they don't distribute the software itself. 

I'm a web agency

Webiva was developed with you in mind, and if you are a web agency looking to use webiva to develop a website for your clients, you can use Webiva at no cost under the terms of the open source license, provided you either:

  • a) make no modifications to the webiva source code and only use open source modules
  • b) release any modification of in-house developed modules under the terms of the AGPL

Since much of the code that needs to be developed for other CMS's such as custom templates is created inside of the system, much of the time you won't need to make any changes to Webiva to build highly customized Websites for your clients. However, if you are going to develop custom code that you don't wish to release you will need to license Webiva and possibly some modules that you use under a commercial license.

I'm a business looking for a website

You can use Webiva at no cost to run your website. You can use webiva under the terms of the open source license, provided you either:

  • a) make no modifications to the webiva source code and only use open source modules
  • b) release any modification of in-house developed modules under the terms of the AGPL

If you hire a developer or a Web firm to develop custom code you must either make sure that code is available and released under the terms of the AGPL -or- you or your hosting provider must purchase a commercial license for Webiva and possibly for contributed modules.

I'm a developer

Developing Open Source Module

You can develop open-source modules for Webiva without restriction, provided that the license you choose to release under is compatible with the AGPLv3. 

Developing Closed Source Modules

The terms of the AGPLv3 include using software over the network as distribution, so if you use Webiva under those terms you must release your module under an compatible open source license. As such, we recommend contacting us for a free Webiva Developer's License before you begin developing a closed source module as you will be able to develop your module without restriction.

Developing a Dual-licensed Module

If you are interested in releasing your module under both a AGPLv3 compatible license and under a commercial license you can do your development under the terms of the AGPLv3, but then provide a separate license for your work for commercial customers.  Any commercial customers will need to purchase a commercial license of Webiva in order to use your module under a commercial license. 

Using Webiva in a Startup or to prototype an Application

We think Webiva is a great way to get a head start on you Rails app development, if you are interested in using Webiva in closed-source manner to help jump-start your startup or prototype a Web Application, contact us for a free startup license that will allow you to use the system at no cost (even commercially) for upto 12 months.