# bannedbook/fanqiang License: Understanding the GPL-3.0 Terms

> Understand the GPL-3.0 license for the bannedbook/fanqiang repository. Learn how these open-source terms apply to your usage and contributions.

- Repository: [如何翻墙/fanqiang](https://github.com/bannedbook/fanqiang)
- Tags: license
- Published: 2026-06-15

---

**The bannedbook/fanqiang repository is released under the GNU General Public License v3 (GPL-3.0), with the definitive license text located at `fqnews/LICENSE_GPLv3`.**

The **bannedbook/fanqiang** project is an open-source toolkit designed to circumvent internet censorship. Understanding the **bannedbook/fanqiang license** is essential for developers who wish to use, modify, or redistribute its code. The project adopts the GNU General Public License v3 (GPL-3.0), ensuring users retain the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software.

## GPL-3.0 License Structure in the Repository

The GPL-3.0 license governs the entire codebase, with specific license files distributed across key directories to ensure compliance at the component level.

### Primary License File

The definitive license text resides in **`fqnews/LICENSE_GPLv3`** at the repository root. This file contains the complete legal terms under which the software is distributed, explicitly stating the GPL-3.0 provisions.

### Submodule-Specific Licensing

The repository maintains consistent licensing across submodules to prevent ambiguity:

- **`fqnews2/LICENSE`** — Replicates the GPL-3.0 terms for the `fqnews2` submodule
- **`fqnews2/libcore/LICENSE`** — Provides additional license information for the core library component

These files collectively confirm that the entire codebase, including submodules, falls under the same copyleft terms.

## Verifying the bannedbook/fanqiang License

You can programmatically confirm the license terms using command-line tools or incorporate proper attribution when creating derivative works.

### Command-Line Verification

To inspect the license directly from a cloned repository:

```bash

# Display the GPL-3.0 license text

cat $(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)/fqnews/LICENSE_GPLv3

```

### Adding License Headers to Derivative Works

When creating new files based on this codebase, include the standard GPL-3.0 header to maintain compliance:

```python

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#  fanqiang – Copyright (C) 2020‑2026 BannedBook

#  This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it

#  under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the

#  Free Software Foundation, version 3 of the License.

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

```

## Key Rights and Obligations Under GPL-3.0

The **GPL-3.0** license grants four essential freedoms:

1. **Freedom to run** the program for any purpose
2. **Freedom to study** how the program works and modify it
3. **Freedom to redistribute** copies to help others
4. **Freedom to distribute** modified versions

However, these freedoms come with the **copyleft** obligation: any distributed derivative work must also be licensed under GPL-3.0. This ensures the community retains these rights for all downstream users, preventing proprietary forks of the open-source code.

## Summary

- The **bannedbook/fanqiang license** is **GNU General Public License v3 (GPL-3.0)**
- The primary license file is located at **`fqnews/LICENSE_GPLv3`**
- The **`fqnews2/LICENSE`** and **`fqnews2/libcore/LICENSE`** files confirm consistent licensing across submodules
- Users must comply with **copyleft** requirements when distributing modified versions
- The license grants freedoms to run, study, share, and modify the software

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is bannedbook/fanqiang open source?

Yes. The repository is fully open source under the GPL-3.0 license, which is certified by the Open Source Initiative (OSI). This means the source code is freely available for inspection, modification, and redistribution according to the license terms found in `fqnews/LICENSE_GPLv3`.

### Can I use code from bannedbook/fanqiang in my commercial project?

Yes, but with specific conditions. While GPL-3.0 permits commercial use, any distributed derivative work must also be licensed under GPL-3.0. This requires releasing your source code under the same license if you distribute the modified software to others, ensuring downstream recipients receive the same rights.

### Where is the license file located in the repository?

The definitive license text is located at **`fqnews/LICENSE_GPLv3`**. Additional copies exist in **`fqnews2/LICENSE`** and **`fqnews2/libcore/LICENSE`** to ensure all components clearly state their licensing terms, though the root-level file serves as the primary legal reference.

### Does the GPL-3.0 license apply to all submodules?

Yes. The presence of license files in **`fqnews2/`** and **`fqnews2/libcore/`** confirms that the GPL-3.0 terms apply consistently across the entire project. As implemented in bannedbook/fanqiang, no submodule is exempt from the copyleft requirements of the primary license.