Ext JS licensing Q&A
GeoExt is a library for building rich, desktop-like applications in your browser. If you’ve used GeoExplorer, Styler, or GeoNode then you know how well it performs.
Since GeoExt is not only based on OpenLayers (for the mapping component) but also Ext JS (for the widget framework), we often get questions about the licensing of applications built with GeoExt or about its relationship to Sencha, the company behind Ext JS. In the interest of getting everything out in the open, here are some answers to licensing questions that we hope you’ll find helpful.
Q: Can I use Ext JS with my open source application?
A: Yes. Ext JS is licensed under the GPL, so as long as the terms of the GPL are preserved you may use Ext JS with your application.
Q: I’m a commercial company and I can’t/won’t release the code for my application, can I still use Ext JS?
A: Yes. To include Ext JS in a closed source application you must buy a Sencha license for each of the developers on your team. At just $329 per single license (without support), it’s very reasonable—there are no additional costs and you don’t need to pay royalties above and beyond the license fee. Since GeoExt and OpenLayers are BSD licensed, you are permitted to keep your code totally closed as long as you have purchased this license.
What if I create a website (or websites) that use GeoEXT? Is that considered distribution? Do I need a license?
Are these answers valid for OpenGeo Suite Community Edition too ? Because on the website it’s stated that OpenGeo Suite Community Edition is licensed under the GPL.
Sean – that’s a question with a lot of ambiguity around it, and ultimately you’d have to trust your lawyer to advise you. But in my personal opinion it’s probably fine, but $329 is not too much to be safe beyond any doubt and more importantly to help support the sencha guys to continue to make great code. Like if you’re making a proprietary application and selling it then it’s just good practice to help support the ecosystems you build upon – with code contributions or $.
Steve – OpenGeo Suite is licensed under the GPL. It currently does not have dual licensing option, so you can’t pay $329 and then include it in a proprietary application. Though it could be a possibility if we work with the component open source projects a bit more. But yes, you can certainly use OpenGeo Suite Community Edition with any open source project at no cost. You just pay for an Enterprise Edition if you want support from core developers (and/or to help us afford to pay people to continue to make it better)
Hi,
I am a newbie with opensource web mapping and I have one basic question about using GeoExt.
Can I use GeoExt library in my project without having to buy ExtJS?
Matej, as mentioned above, you only need to purchase a license from Sencha if your project is commercial and closed-source. You can learn more about their terms here: http://www.sencha.com/products/license.php