Glossary · Source control and deployment
MIT License
A permissive open-source license allowing broad reuse while requiring preservation of its copyright and license notice.
Also called: MIT-licensed, MIT licensed
Definition
The MIT License grants permission to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies of covered software, subject to including the copyright and permission notice. It also disclaims warranty and liability.
Why it matters
A clear license tells downstream users what rights and notice obligations accompany public source.
Common misunderstanding
An MIT license applies to the covered code; it does not automatically grant rights to trademarks, private data, credentials, third-party assets, or separately licensed dependencies.
Related terms
Related system family: Hosting & Release
Sources
- The MIT License (opens in a new tab) · Open Source Initiative
Last reviewed July 16, 2026