Can closed-source or proprietary projects use Launchpad?

Launchpad exists to support the development of Ubuntu and other projects in the open source community. Projects that are not open source can still use Launchpad if specifically authorized by Canonical.

To freely use Launchpad, projects must license their code with one of the licenses we pre-approve (shown when you create your project) or with a license that fits the guidelines specified at https://help.launchpad.net/Legal/ProjectLicensing.

(See https://answers.launchpad.net/launchpad/+faq/585 for exactly how we define "project".)

If your project has an open-source license which is not pre-approved, then select 'Other/Open Source' and fully describe the license in the information box when you create your project or on the 'Change Details' page. Providing a link to the license is quite helpful. Launchpad staff will review the license you've used and contact you if there are problems.

(Please note that not all Creative Commons licenses qualify as open source. In particular, their "Sampling/Mashup", "No Derivatives", and "Non-Commercial" licenses are not open source. However, just using the "Share-Alike" condition is still open source.)

Projects that are not open source may only use Launchpad if they have prior approval from Canonical to use commercial-only features, which include private bugs, code branches, teams, mailing lists, and PPAs.

Canonical formerly sold commercial subscriptions which allowed the use of commercial-only features. This scheme is no longer in operation, although use of commercial-only features may still be granted on a case-by-case basis.

If you have questions, please send email to commercial@launchpad.net.