Can I change my license later?

You can change the license for new versions, but existing versions remain under their original license. All contributors must agree to the change.

Do I need a license for private projects?

No. Private code shared within a company does not need an open source license. The company owns the code and controls its use through employment agreements.

What if I use code with different licenses?

License compatibility matters. GPL code cannot be combined with MIT code in a GPL project (the result must be GPL). MIT code can generally be combined with any license.

Where do I put the LICENSE file?

In the root of your repository as LICENSE (no extension) or LICENSE.md. GitHub automatically detects and displays it on the repository page.

How to Choose an Open Source License (2026)

📜

Try License Generator

Free, no signup →