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Welcome

 

This EUPL collection focuses on open licensing. It includes the European Union Public Licence, a Licensing Assistant, and guidance for IT developers, practitioners, and users to define the conditions for sharing and reusing software.

Discover the European Union Public Licence (EUPL) and its impact on open source licensing. Explore the evolution of free/open source software (F/OSS or FLOSS) legal frameworks—from early drafts to the latest EUPL versions—and how they support public administration and broader software freedom initiatives. 

According to the Interoperable Europe Act (8.4) public sector portals of open source solutions and connected to the Interoperable Europe Portal shall allow for the use of the EUPL.

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Understanding the EUPL and Open Licensing

The European Union Public Licence (EUPL) is the first open-source licence with a working value in all EU official languages. It is reasonably "share-alike/reciprocal," like the LGPL, but also covers remote distribution.

Everyone in the world (and not Europeans only): IT developers, practitioners, and users who need guidance in defining the conditions under which a solution may be freely shared and reused, considering the legal framework.

Clear licensing rules form the regulatory basis for sharing and reusing software solutions while supporting legal interoperability. While the EUPL ensures these principles, other licences may also facilitate compatibility and interoperability.

By Decision C (2021) 8759, the EUPL is provided for European Commission distributed software.
According to the Interoperable Europe Act (8.4) all public sector portals providing open source solutions shall allow for the use of the EUPL.

Got questions about using the EUPL? Visit our FAQ for answers!

Latest updates

Last update: 26/03/2025

Licensing Assistant

The Licensing Assistant is a digital tool that helps users select, compare, and understand open-source software licenses, ensuring legal clarity and compliance
LicensingOpen Source Software
Last update: 26/03/2025

Documentation Repository

Discover comprehensive resources and guidelines to support the effective implementation and understanding of the EUPL and its interoperability framework.
LicensingOpen Source Software
Last update: 26/03/2025

EUPL eLearning Courses

Learn about the European Union Public Licence (EUPL) and how it supports open-source software sharing and reuse across Europe
Culture and educationLicensingOpen Source Software
Last update: 26/03/2025

FAQs

This page provides essential information on how to use the EUPL, including its purpose, applicability, licensing terms, and legal compliance.
European PoliciesLegal+2 topics

Do you have any questions related to licensing or legal support?

Please fill this Contact Form (selecting "legal issue" in the Category field).