ADR: Apache-2.0 Local/Core License

Date: 2026-06-29 Status: Accepted

Decision

Scout's local/core package and source distribution use Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0).

Hosted Scout access, paid service usage, beta admission, support, service-level commitments, and enterprise terms remain separate service/commercial arrangements.

Rationale

• Apache-2.0 aligns with Crawl4AI's licensing posture.
• It is permissive enough for technical beta testers and commercial users.
• It includes explicit patent language.
• It supports Scout's local-first trust story without preventing hosted Scout monetization.

Scope

Applies to:

• local Python package,
• source distribution,
• CLI,
• local HTTP service,
• Docker-from-source distribution,
• GitHub source artifacts.

Does not approve:

• public launch,
• PyPI publishing,
• GHCR or Docker Hub publishing,
• public self-serve hosted access,
• hosted pricing,
• final hosted terms/privacy.

Verification

Repo verification passed in the release-hardening checkpoint:

• python3 -m build
• python3 scripts/license_release_gate_check.py --expected-license Apache-2.0 --dist-dir dist
• python3 -m scout.cli launch-readiness --json
• python3 -m pytest tests/unit/ -q
• python3 -m pyright scout/
• ruff check scout/ tests/ scripts/
• ruff format --check scout/ tests/ scripts/

Current launch truth after this decision:

• Private beta: ready_with_limits
• Public launch: blocked
• Public blockers: 9

Repo Evidence

• LICENSE
• pyproject.toml
• README.md
• website/legal.html
• website/status.html
• docs/product/founder-decision-records/2026-06-29-apache-2-license.md
• docs/product/release-checklist.md
• docs/product/public-launch-action-packet-2026-06-29.md