# Switchyard Repository Licensing: Apache 2.0 Terms and Compliance Guide

> Understand the NVIDIA-NeMo Switchyard repository licensing under Apache 2.0. Learn terms for commercial use modification and distribution.

- Repository: [NVIDIA-NeMo/Switchyard](https://github.com/NVIDIA-NeMo/Switchyard)
- Tags: licensing-guide
- Published: 2026-09-11

---

**The NVIDIA-NeMo Switchyard repository is released under the Apache License 2.0, permitting commercial use, modification, and distribution provided copyright notices and license terms are preserved.**

The NVIDIA-NeMo Switchyard project provides a Rust-based framework for scalable AI model serving infrastructure. Understanding **Switchyard repository licensing** is critical for organizations integrating this code into production systems, as the Apache 2.0 terms govern how you can legally use, modify, and redistribute the source code across the entire workspace.

## License Documentation Structure

The Switchyard project maintains consistent Apache 2.0 licensing across all components through several key files.

### Top-Level LICENSE File

The repository root contains the primary `LICENSE` file, which establishes the legal foundation for the entire codebase. This file specifies the copyright holder and license version:

> Copyright (c) 2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved… Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License")…

### Per-Crate License Files

Individual workspace crates maintain localized license references to ensure compliance when components are distributed independently. The `crates/switchyard-server/LICENSE` and `crates/protocol/LICENSE` files contain identical Apache 2.0 terms to the root license, confirming that sub-components adhere to the same legal standards as the parent repository.

### NOTICE and README References

The `NOTICE` file at the repository root contains additional attribution information required by Apache 2.0 section 4(d). The [`README.md`](https://github.com/NVIDIA-NeMo/Switchyard/blob/main/README.md) also includes a dedicated License section that links directly to the Apache 2.0 terms, serving as the primary documentation entry point for users evaluating **Switchyard repository licensing**.

## Compliance Requirements

Using or modifying Switchyard code requires adherence to specific Apache 2.0 obligations regarding attribution and documentation.

### SPDX Header Format for Rust

When creating new Rust source files for Switchyard or derivative projects, include the standard SPDX license identifier to ensure automated license scanning tools can detect the Apache 2.0 terms:

```rust
//! SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
//! SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0

// Your module implementation here …

```

This header format appears throughout the Switchyard codebase and satisfies the Apache 2.0 requirement to preserve copyright notices in source distributions.

### Python Package Configuration

When distributing Switchyard components or wrappers via Python package managers, declare the license metadata in [`pyproject.toml`](https://github.com/NVIDIA-NeMo/Switchyard/blob/main/pyproject.toml):

```toml
[project]
name = "nemo-switchyard"
version = "0.2.0"
license = {text = "Apache-2.0"}

```

### Redistribution Obligations

Any distribution of Switchyard code—whether modified or unmodified—requires:

- **Copyright Preservation**: Maintain all existing copyright headers, including the "2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES" notice
- **License Inclusion**: Provide the full text of the Apache License 2.0, available in the `LICENSE` file
- **NOTICE Distribution**: Include the repository's `NOTICE` file contents with binary or source distributions
- **Change Documentation**: State significant changes made when distributing modified versions

## Summary

- The **Apache License 2.0** applies uniformly to all code in the NVIDIA-NeMo Switchyard repository, including the `switchyard-server` and `protocol` crates
- Primary legal terms reside in the top-level `LICENSE` file, with redundant copies in `crates/switchyard-server/LICENSE` and `crates/protocol/LICENSE` for independent crate distribution
- The `NOTICE` file contains required attribution text that must accompany redistributions
- Copyright attribution specifies **2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES** and must be preserved in all copies
- Source files should use SPDX identifiers (`Apache-2.0`) to facilitate automated license compliance checking

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Switchyard repository free for commercial use?

Yes. The Apache License 2.0 explicitly permits commercial use, including incorporation into proprietary products and services. You may use Switchyard code in commercial applications without releasing your own source code, provided you include the Apache 2.0 license text, preserve copyright notices, and include the `NOTICE` file if present.

### Do I need to include the license when distributing Switchyard modifications?

Yes. Apache 2.0 requires that any distribution of the work—modified or original—include a copy of the license. You must include the full `LICENSE` file text and the `NOTICE` file contents with both source and binary distributions. Additionally, you must document any significant changes you make to the files.

### What is the copyright period for Switchyard code?

According to the `LICENSE` file and source headers throughout the repository, the copyright period is **2024-2026** and is held by NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All contributions to the repository are accepted under these same terms, ensuring the entire codebase maintains uniform copyright ownership and licensing.

### Are all crates in the Switchyard repository under the same license?

Yes. Every crate under the `crates/` directory, including `crates/switchyard-server` and `crates/protocol`, references the identical Apache License 2.0 terms found in the root `LICENSE` file. There are no dual-licensed or differently licensed components within the repository workspace.