Commercial use and licensing
MemQL is open-source software under the unmodified Apache License 2.0. Individuals and companies can use it commercially, build and sell products, and offer independently branded hosted services, subject to that license. There is no MemQL approval, notification, revenue-sharing, or royalty requirement for those uses, regardless of company size or customer count.
The trademark policy separately explains use of the MemQL name and logo. This FAQ explains the existing software license; it does not add conditions to it. The license text controls.
What can I build or sell?
| Use | Is separate MemQL permission required? |
|---|---|
| Personal use, research, or internal company use | No. |
| Paid consulting, installation, customization, or support for clients | No. |
| Your own paid application, including a proprietary application built using MemQL | No. |
| Shopify apps, connectors, integrations, or APIs built using MemQL | No. |
| A hosted or managed MemQL service under your own distinct brand | No. |
| Redistribution or sale of original or modified software | No, provided you comply with the license's redistribution terms. |
| Branding your service "MemQL Cloud," using the logo as your own brand, or claiming official partnership | Written branding permission is needed, except for uses already permitted by law; see the trademark policy. |
You are responsible for your offering and its support promises. Offering paid support does not make ZNAS LLC responsible for your commitments.
Can I keep my application and modifications private?
Yes. Apache 2.0 does not require you to publish your application or your changes, contribute them upstream, or license your own code under Apache 2.0. If you distribute MemQL or a derivative work, its applicable Apache terms still apply to that distribution. Other components you use may have different requirements.
What notices must I preserve when redistributing?
Follow section 4 of the license. In particular:
- Give recipients a copy of the Apache License 2.0.
- Put prominent change notices in files you modify.
- Retain applicable copyright, patent, trademark, and attribution notices in distributed source.
- When distributing derivative works, reproduce applicable attribution from MemQL's NOTICE in one of the locations section 4(d) permits, such as a distributed notice file or accompanying documentation.
These are license notices, not a requirement to advertise MemQL on every screen. The NOTICE is informational and does not change the license.
Must my site display "Powered by MemQL"?
No. A public badge, backlink, or marketing acknowledgment is optional. We appreciate a truthful "Built using MemQL" or "Powered by MemQL" reference, ideally linked to memql.io. Plain-text descriptive attribution is allowed under the trademark policy and does not imply endorsement or membership in a partner program.
Running MemQL on your servers without distributing it does not, by itself, trigger Apache's redistribution-notice requirements. If your service also ships MemQL code to users, assess that distribution separately. Optional marketing attribution does not replace required notices in a distribution.
Does hosted MemQL require a deal with ZNAS LLC?
No. An independent service such as "Acme Cloud: hosting for MemQL" can charge customers without seeking a commercial license from ZNAS LLC. Keep your provider identity clear and follow the trademark policy. The same applies when MemQL powers only one part of your own SaaS application.
There is no threshold based on revenue, users, funding, or deployment size. We welcome contact about substantial deployments, but that contact is voluntary. A separate agreement is needed if you want branding rights or services beyond those already available under the license and policy.
How can I explore a partnership?
Developers, integrators, and hosting providers are welcome to discuss collaboration with ZNAS LLC. Possible discussions include approved branding, joint work, and separately agreed support or services. Participation is optional; no partnership, support commitment, certification, or service level is included with the open-source license or promised by this page.
Follow the request process for branding and partnership inquiries. Scope, fees if any, and commitments must be agreed separately in writing. You can continue using the software under Apache 2.0 without entering such an agreement.
Does Apache 2.0 cover every dependency?
No. Third-party components and bundled infrastructure retain their own licenses. Check the components included in your distribution or service; MemQL's license does not replace their terms. The database platform guide describes the database stack and its licensing boundary.