# What Is the License for vorssaint-utils? GPL‑v3 Explained

> Understand the GPLv3 license for vorssaint-utils. Learn how this copyleft license impacts derivative works and ensures open-source freedom.

- Repository: [vorssaint/vorssaint-utils](https://github.com/vorssaint/vorssaint-utils)
- Tags: faq
- Published: 2026-09-05

---

**The vorssaint-utils repository is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPL‑v3), a copyleft license that requires derivative works to use the same license terms.**

Understanding the licensing terms of open-source dependencies is critical for compliance and risk management. The vorssaint-utils project adopts GPL‑v3, which grants broad freedoms while imposing specific obligations on redistributors. This guide breaks down what GPL‑v3 means for your use of the library, how to properly attribute it, and what responsibilities you assume when incorporating it into your own projects.

## GPL‑v3 License Overview

The `LICENSE` file in the repository root contains the complete legal text of GPL‑v3. This license is classified as **strong copyleft**—it preserves user freedoms by ensuring that any distributed derivative works remain open under identical terms.

Four core freedoms define GPL‑v3 as applied to vorssaint-utils:

- **Freedom to run** – use the code for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without fees
- **Freedom to study** – access the complete source code, located in the `src/` directory
- **Freedom to share** – redistribute exact copies, provided the license accompanies the code
- **Freedom to modify** – create derivatives, which must themselves be licensed under GPL‑v3

## Key GPL‑v3 Requirements for vorssaint-utils

When you use or redistribute code from vorssaint-utils, the following obligations apply per the license terms in `LICENSE`:

### Source Code Availability

Any distributed binaries or hosted applications incorporating vorssaint-utils must make the corresponding source code available. This includes your modifications to the original `src/` files.

### License Propagation

Derivative works—whether modified versions of vorssaint-utils or larger applications that embed it—must carry GPL‑v3 licensing. You cannot apply a proprietary license to code that includes vorssaint-utils components.

### Attribution Headers

Each source file in `src/` should retain or include a copyright notice. For new files you add to a fork, use this standard GPL‑v3 header format:

```js
/*
 * This file is part of vorssaint-utils.
 *
 * Copyright (C) <year>  <author>
 *
 * 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, either version 3 of the License, or
 * (at your option) any later version.
 *
 * For the full license text, see the LICENSE file in the repository.
 */

```

## Including vorssaint-utils as a Dependency

The [`package.json`](https://github.com/vorssaint/vorssaint-utils/blob/main/package.json) file in the repository declares the project metadata. When adding vorssaint-utils to a Node.js project, reference the repository directly:

```json
{
  "dependencies": {
    "vorssaint-utils": "git+https://github.com/vorssaint/vorssaint-utils.git#main"
  }
}

```

**Critical compliance step:** distribute the `LICENSE` file from vorssaint-utils alongside your application. Failure to include the full GPL‑v3 text constitutes a license violation, even for unmodified use.

## License Implications By Use Case

| Scenario | GPL‑v3 Requirement |
|----------|------------------|
| Internal use only | No obligations; freedoms fully apply |
| Modified version, distributed | Source code must be published under GPL‑v3 |
| Unmodified inclusion in larger project | Entire project likely becomes GPL‑v3 |
| SaaS/Network use (ASP loophole) | AGPL would require source disclosure; GPL‑v3 does not |

The `src/` directory contains all utility function implementations subject to these terms. Review [`README.md`](https://github.com/vorssaint/vorssaint-utils/blob/main/README.md) for implementation details, but rely on `LICENSE` as the authoritative legal document.

## Summary

- **vorssaint-utils uses GPL‑v3**, stored in the repository's `LICENSE` file
- **Four freedoms granted**: run, study, share, and modify the software
- **Copyleft obligation**: derivative works must use GPL‑v3 and provide source code
- **Attribution requirement**: include GPL‑v3 license text when redistributing
- **Safe for internal use**; careful evaluation needed for commercial distribution

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does GPL‑v3 require me to open-source my entire application if I use vorssaint-utils?

If your application is distributed to users and incorporates vorssaint-utils, GPL‑v3 generally requires that your complete source code be released under GPL‑v3. Internal use within an organization does not trigger this requirement. For SaaS deployments where users interact with your software over a network without receiving a copy, standard GPL‑v3 obligations may not apply—though ethical compliance and AGPL considerations remain relevant.

### Where is the full license text located in the vorssaint-utils repository?

The complete GPL‑v3 legal text resides in `LICENSE` at the repository root. This file is directly linked from the GitHub interface and must be included in any redistribution of the code, whether modified or unmodified.

### Can I use vorssaint-utils in a commercial closed-source product?

Direct incorporation into a proprietary product violates GPL‑v3 terms. Your options include: (1) releasing your product's source under GPL‑v3, (2) reimplementing the functionality without using vorssaint-utils code, or (3) negotiating a separate license with the copyright holder. The [`package.json`](https://github.com/vorssaint/vorssaint-utils/blob/main/package.json) metadata does not indicate dual-licensing, so assume GPL‑v3 applies exclusively.

### What copyright notice should I add to files I contribute to a vorssaint-utils fork?

Use the standard GPL‑v3 header shown in the `src/` files, updating the year and author fields. The notice must reference the `LICENSE` file and acknowledge the Free Software Foundation as the license steward.