License Help
Not sure which license to pick for your design? Here's a plain-language explanation of each option available on ViaGrid, and when you might want to use it.
Creative Commons — how the checkboxes work
When you choose Creative Commons, you mix and match four properties. BY is always on — it's what makes it a CC license. The others are optional.
Creative Commons — BY
Others can use, share, remix, and sell your design as long as they credit you. This is the most open CC license.
When to use: Good default if you want maximum reach but still want credit for your work.
Creative Commons — BY-SA
Same as BY, but derivatives must use the same license (ShareAlike). Keeps the design "open forever".
When to use: Good if you want your design to stay open even after others improve it.
Creative Commons — BY-NC
Others can use and share your design for non-commercial purposes only. Commercial use requires your permission.
When to use: Good if you want to share freely with hobbyists but retain commercial rights yourself.
Creative Commons — BY-NC-SA
Non-commercial use only, and derivatives must use the same license.
When to use: Good for community-focused designs that should stay open but non-commercial.
Creative Commons — BY-ND
Others can share your design but cannot modify it. The design must be shared as-is with credit.
When to use: Good if you want wide sharing but no derivative works — e.g. reference designs.
Creative Commons — BY-NC-ND
The most restrictive CC license. Non-commercial use only, no modifications allowed.
When to use: Good if you want to showcase your work publicly but want full control over any use.
MIT License
A very permissive software license. Anyone can use, copy, modify, and distribute your work — including commercially — with minimal conditions. Primarily a software license but sometimes applied to design files.
When to use: Common in open-source hardware communities when maximum permissiveness is wanted. Note: MIT was written for software; CC licenses are better suited for hardware design files.
GNU GPL
A strong copyleft license. Anyone who distributes your work (or a modified version) must also make the source available under GPL. Primarily a software license.
When to use: Common for firmware and software included with a design. For PCB files specifically, a Creative Commons license is usually more appropriate.
Not sure? For most hardware designs shared on ViaGrid, CC BY or CC BY-SA are the most popular choices. If you want to allow commercial use without restriction, pick CC BY. If you want derivatives to stay open, add SA. You can always contact us if you need help choosing.