Announcement: License Update for iNKORE.UI.WPF.Modern

[NotYoojun]

Due to confusion of the previous license, we have decided to change the license of iNKORE.UI.WPF.Modern (hereafter referred to as iUWM) to a new custom license.

This document is intended to explain the reasons for this change, the license content, and important usage notes, to help developers avoid misuse or violations caused by misunderstanding or overlooking key terms.

📜 Summary of the New License

The new license does not reverse our original intentions, but refines and clarifies them. It retains the same philosophy with clearer and more structured expression.

The following summary is here only for quick reference. Please read the full license text for complete details.

Category	Allowed?	Description
🔧 Modify source code	✅ Yes	Freely allowed to create derivative works
🧱 Create your own control libraries	✳️ Conditionally	You must adopt this license
🏗 Use in application development	✅ Yes	If your project serves a different purpose, you can apply a different license to your application, provided it adheres to attribution and other terms
📦 Public distribution	✳️ Conditionally	Free if open-source + attribution; closed-source/commercial requires subscription
🏢 Internal use only	✅ Yes	Free use regardless of license or source visibility as long as it is not distributed
💼 Commercial OR closed-source use	❌ Not allowed by default	Subscription required
🧪 Non-profit closed-source distribution	❌ Not allowed by default	Subscription required
🧑‍💻 Use in open-source projects	✅ Yes	Free to use if attribution and other terms are respected
📢 Use author's name for endorsement	❌ Prohibited	Cannot use "iNKORE Studios" to endorse your product
🧨 Malicious or illegal use	❌ Strictly prohibited	Includes hacking, malware, copyright infringement
☕ Commercial subscription	✅ Available	Donation-based, contact us to request
💝 Contributor exemption	✅ Requestable	Frequent contributors may request exemption from some terms
🚫 Violation consequences	License revoked	License is automatically terminated upon violation

While the above table summarizes most of the license, some terms may be debated. Below are clarifications on the more sensitive parts.

💰 About Commercial Subscription

iUWM uses a commercial subscription model. This is not a fixed-price license, but a pay-what-you-can-afford model based on monthly donations. You are free to choose the amount based on your capability and appreciation. You can contact us via our website.

Most people would love to offer a few cups of coffee worth of support every month, which is about $5-10/month. But it's at your hands to decide how much you want to contribute, after all, we've been there - we know how hard it is to make a living, and we hope the same understanding applies to us.

Scenarios where a subscription is required:

Scenario	Subscription Required?	Notes
Internal use only	❌ No	Internal use by individuals or companies, no distribution
Public release, closed-source (even if non-commercial)	✅ Yes	Distribution without open-sourcing requires subscription
Commercial closed-source use	✅ Yes	Any commercial use (open or closed source) requires subscription
Open-source, compliant	❌ No	Fully open-source + proper attribution is allowed for free

We’ve had intense debates around commercial usage, and we’ve often asked ourselves: "Do we deserve the donations?"

However, we are currently experiencing financial hardship. As described at https://www.inkore.net/donate:

• $120+/month keeps the servers and basic infrastructure alive.
• $300+/month allows us to dream bigger.
• $400+/year helps us acquire equipment and other essentials.

Current donations are far from sufficient. Our resources also support other projects like MCSkinn and Inkways. These license requirements are a last resort, not a revenue strategy. We sincerely thank every contributor who helped build every line of code, and in the future, we hope to list those who supported us - either financially or through contributions - on our website.

Contact us to get your tailored subscription plan. We are open to discussing and finding a solution that works for ya!

We have also introduced a contributor exemption policy. If you have contributed significantly to iUWM with high-quality code, you can request exemption from some terms. This is our way of recognizing and appreciating your contributions. Contact us to see if you qualify.

🔄 License Inheritance Rules

The iNKORE.UI.WPF.Modern Software License is weakly viral. In most cases, you are not required to adopt the same license, except in certain scenarios:

What You Build	Must Use This License?	Notes
✅ A different-purpose application (e.g. a task scheduler app)	❌ No	As long as you comply with non-commercial + attribution rules
❌ A control library/framework	✅ Yes	You must adopt this license (same class of work)

🥱 Summary

This new license is an attempt to give developers clearer boundaries and fairer terms. It represents our philosophy of balancing freedom, openness, respect, and survival. Thank you to everyone who reads and respects the license. Please feel free to contact us via studios@inkore.net for discussion or clarification.

The open source community is built on trust, respect and collaboration. There's no such thing in the world that you can get without giving something back - that's what keeps the world going and makes it a better place.

[Shizuku-Nanami]

Hi, I noticed that the project now uses the iNKORE.UI.WPF.Modern Software License. Is there an official abbreviation for it (e.g., IUWM License), or any recommended short form we should use when referencing it?

[Aris-Offline]

Due to the apparent issues with the terms of this license, the name iNKORE.UI.WPF.Modern License should not have any form of abbreviation. However, if you do indeed feel that the name is too long, you may simply refer to it as the 'iUWM License' and clearly redirect to the body of the License through hyperlinks and other means.

[NotYoojun]

Hi, I noticed that the project now uses the iNKORE.UI.WPF.Modern Software License. Is there an official abbreviation for it (e.g., IUWM License), or any recommended short form we should use when referencing it?

Try this form:

[iUWM License](https://github.com/iNKORE-NET/UI.WPF.Modern/blob/main/LICENSE.md)