Last updated: April 2, 2026
At a Glance
Overview
The LFM Open License is based on Apache 2.0, granting broad, royalty-free, perpetual rights to use, modify, and distribute our models and their derivatives. The key difference from Apache 2.0 is a commercial use threshold: free commercial use is limited to companies with annual revenue under $10 million USD.Using the Models
You can use, modify, fine-tune, and distribute the models for any purpose — including commercial products and services.Do I have to open-source my modifications?
Do I have to open-source my modifications?
No. The license has no copyleft requirement. You can keep your fine-tuned models proprietary.
Who owns what?
Who owns what?
Liquid AI retains ownership of the base models. You own your modifications, but use of derivative models remains subject to this license.
Commercial Use
Companies with annual revenue under $10 million USD can use the models at no cost for commercial purposes. If your company’s annual revenue exceeds $10 million USD, your right to use the models commercially under this license ends. Contact sales@liquid.ai to obtain a commercial license.What counts as commercial use?
What counts as commercial use?
Any use for direct or indirect commercial advantage or monetary compensation.
Research & Nonprofit Use
Qualified nonprofits (501(c)(3) or equivalent) can use the models for non-commercial or research purposes with no revenue threshold.What qualifies as a nonprofit?
What qualifies as a nonprofit?
Organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, or equivalent charitable/educational organizations in other jurisdictions.
Distribution Requirements
When distributing the models or derivatives, you must:- Include a copy of the license
- Retain all copyright and attribution notices
- Mark any files you have modified