MongoDB free version for commercial use

[Krzysztof]

Hi Guys,

Can I use MongoDB free version for commercial use?

Best Regards

Krzysztof

[Stephen Steneker]

On Saturday, 9 January 2016 00:03:31 UTC+11, Krzysztof wrote:

Can I use MongoDB free version for commercial use?

Hi Krzysztof,

The short answer is “generally, yes” as far as deploying the MongoDB community edition for commercial use. A commercial license is only required in some circumstances, such as deploying MongoDB Enterprise software to production environments.

The core MongoDB server is licensed under AGPL v3.0 and the mongodb.org drivers are Apache License 2.0 (see: MongoDB Licensing and The AGPL). Commercial licenses are also available for MongoDB Enterprise Advanced which includes additional security and administration features, as well as warranty and indemnification.

The intent of using AGPL as the open source license for the MongoDB server is to ensure modifications to the core database code are contributed to the community. Your application connecting via standard mongodb.org Apache-licensed database drivers is considered an independent program, and can be under any license (including closed source).

In summary:

• There are no restrictions if you are using the mongodb.org drivers, not making any modifications to the core server code, and not redistributing/embedding the MongoDB server.

• If you make any modifications to the core server code for your application, these changes should be made publicly available (e.g. via public GitHub fork). You should also review the Contributor’s Guide, which has information on how to contribute to the core server project.

• If you are redistributing the core server package, deploying MongoDB Enterprise server, or embedding the MongoDB server in an OEM or installable commercial solution you will probably need commercial licenses and should Contact MongoDB for follow-up.

Regards,
Stephen

​

[Krzysztof]

Hi Stephen,

Thank you very much for the answer!

So customer who want use our solution grandnode (free and open source ecommerce platform http://grandnode.com/), can use this database without any charge :)

Best Regards

Krzysztof

[Stephen Steneker]

On Tuesday, 12 January 2016 21:53:29 UTC+11, Krzysztof wrote:

Thank you very much for the answer!

So customer who want use our solution grandnode (free and open source ecommerce platform http://grandnode.com/), can use this database without any charge :)

Hi Krzysztof,

End users of your solution manage their own MongoDB deployment so they are responsible for their license compliance for any software installed.

They can certainly use the community edition of MongoDB server (open source with no license costs) or MongoDB Enterprise Advanced server (if they are a commercial subscriber with appropriate licenses).

Regards,

Stephen

[Lalit Jairaj]

Hello Stephen,

Does this answer still hold good. One of my customers has inquired on the same?

Regards,

Lalit Jairaj

[Stephen Steneker]

On Thursday, 1 June 2017 07:43:22 UTC+10, Lalit Jairaj wrote:

Does this answer still hold good. One of my customers has inquired on the same?

Hi Lalit,

Assuming you have the same circumstances (customers install or provide their own MongoDB deployment), the same licensing applies.

If your situation is different or you have any concerns please feel free to contact me off list and I'll help follow up.

Regards,

Stephen

[Anwar]

Hi Stephen,

Based on the License terms on the Mongodb site here: https://www.mongodb.com/community/licensing and here: https://www.mongodb.com/blog/post/the-agpl

and with your reply to the questions in this thread, I understand that we can use our closed commercial application with community edition of Mongodb as a database and still sell our product without any licensing issues.

However here is one more concern which I thought you might be able to help us.

We would like to add community edition of mongodb installtion package along with our product setup and install it with our setup tool. All this only to make the setup easier for our customers.

 

We will not make any modifications to the Mongodb source or any of its drivers.

Is this allowed as per the license? if I do this way will it also make our application into AGPL? Please advice.

Regards,

Anwar 

[Sil Martin]

Hi,

I was reading this thread but the last question didn't get any response.

I would like also to know if we can bundle the MongoDB Community Edition together with a Commercial Product in a common installer. Is this allowed?

Thanks.

[Stephen Steneker]

On Tuesday, 13 March 2018 19:45:32 UTC+11, Sil Martin wrote:

I was reading this thread but the last question didn't get any response.

I would like also to know if we can bundle the MongoDB Community Edition together with a Commercial Product in a common installer. Is this allowed?

Hi Sil,

I'm not certain on the caveats of redistributing or repackaging MongoDB Community Edition installers in a commercial product, but have passed the question to our legal team for follow-up. You can also ask licensing questions directly via the Contact Us form on the MongoDB site, as there may be differences depending on your particular situation. There are a few ways of bundling installers (for example, installing an MSI in silent mode) which may have different consequences.

The original question in this thread was related to end users providing their own MongoDB deployment for use with a commercial application, which puts the onus of license compliance on the end user. This is the most straightforward approach.

A commercial or OEM license agreement with MongoDB would also remove any ambiguity for redistribution of installers.

Regards,

Stennie

[Kartik M]

Hi Stephen,

You might have got answer from legal department by now. As per your AGPL is it like we need to provide only installation files & details if we develop installation package for ease of end-customer? Or since we are using mongoDB as a database manager in our product (hence separate work) so it applies Apache license and hence nothing is required to be provided?

[Stephen Steneker]

On Thursday, 19 July 2018 10:08:54 UTC+10, Kartik M wrote:

You might have got answer from legal department by now. As per your AGPL is it like we need to provide only installation files & details if we develop installation package for ease of end-customer? Or since we are using mongoDB as a database manager in our product (hence separate work) so it applies Apache license and hence nothing is required to be provided?

Hi Kartik,

Those are two separate questions.

As per your AGPL is it like we need to provide only installation files & details if we develop installation package for ease of end-customer?

I don't have a generic answer for repackaging/redistribution of installers under the AGPL and would encourage you to seek your own legal advice to ensure compliance given the particulars of your commercial situation.

Or since we are using mongoDB as a database manager in our product (hence separate work) so it applies Apache license and hence nothing is required to be provided?

Once installed, your application would be communicating using a MongoDB driver (Apache license for officially supported drivers) and should be considered a separate work from the MongoDB server. See: MongoDB Licensing for more information.

Regards,Stennie