################################################################################
## ##
## H A C K E R O S P U B L I C L I C E N S E ##
## Version 0.1 (HOPL-0.1) ##
## ##
## https://hackeros.org/license/HOPL-1.0 ##
## ##
################################################################################
Copyright (c) [YEAR] [YOUR FULL NAME]
HackerOS Project — https://[your-project-url]
All rights reserved.
SPDX-License-Identifier: HOPL-1.0
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUICK REFERENCE (not a substitute for the full license text below)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
✔ Use it for any lawful purpose — personal, academic, commercial.
✔ Fork it, remix it, ship it.
✔ Patent license granted automatically to all users.
✔ Distribute freely, with or without modifications.
✘ Do NOT use "HackerOS" name or logo to promote your fork without permission.
✘ Do NOT build malware, spyware, ransomware, or surveillance tools with this.
✘ Do NOT sue us over patents — your license terminates immediately if you do.
✘ Do NOT remove copyright notices or license text from any copy.
!! Forking the Core? → You MUST keep this license (HOPL-1.0 or later).
!! Forking non-core parts? → You MAY use another compatible open-source license.
!! Violation of §6 (Malware) or §5.2 (Patents) = immediate, permanent termination.
!! Other violations = 30-day cure window before termination.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PREAMBLE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
HackerOS is an independent Linux distribution built by one person, for everyone.
It exists to give every user — beginner or expert — a system that is powerful,
transparent, and entirely under their control.
This License governs the use, copying, modification, and distribution of the
HackerOS Software and all associated materials. It is inspired by the MIT
License, the BSD 3-Clause License, and the Apache License 2.0, and combines
their best qualities into a single document designed for a modern open-source
distribution:
— The simplicity and permissiveness of MIT and BSD.
— The explicit patent protection of Apache 2.0.
— Strong brand protection to preserve the HackerOS identity.
— A clear prohibition on malicious use.
— A practical fork policy that keeps the Core open while allowing flexibility
for bundled applications and community extensions.
This License is written to be understood by a human being — not just a lawyer.
If something is unclear, you are encouraged to reach out to the project before
assuming what is or is not permitted.
By using, copying, modifying, or distributing the Software, you agree to all
terms and conditions of this License.
================================================================================
PART I — DEFINITIONS
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§1. DEFINED TERMS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The following terms, when used in this License with a capital first letter,
have the meanings assigned to them in this section.
1.1. "Software" means the entirety of the HackerOS project materials made
available under this License, including without limitation:
(a) all source code files, whether written in any programming language
or scripting language;
(b) compiled binaries, object files, and executable images;
(c) installation scripts, configuration files, and build systems;
(d) documentation, man pages, README files, and user guides;
(e) graphical assets, including icons, wallpapers, themes, fonts,
splash screens, and other visual resources;
(f) any other files designated as part of HackerOS in the project's
official repository or release manifests.
1.2. "Core" means the foundational components of HackerOS that define its
identity as an operating system, specifically:
(a) the Linux kernel configuration, patches, and build scripts
maintained by the HackerOS project;
(b) the base system package set (init system, package manager, core
utilities, and their configuration);
(c) the HackerOS installer and system configuration framework;
(d) any component explicitly designated as "Core" in the official
repository's CORE.md or equivalent manifest file.
Components not listed above, or not designated as Core, are Non-Core.
1.3. "Non-Core Components" means all Software that does not qualify as Core,
including but not limited to: bundled desktop applications, graphical
shells, window managers, themes, user-space tools, optional packages,
and community-contributed extensions.
1.4. "Brand Marks" means:
(a) the name "HackerOS" and any abbreviations or stylized forms thereof;
(b) the HackerOS logo, logotype, icon, mascot, and any visual elements
associated with the project's official identity;
(c) any registered or unregistered trademarks, service marks, or trade
dress belonging to the copyright holder in connection with HackerOS;
(d) slogans, taglines, or other distinctive phrases officially associated
with the HackerOS project.
1.5. "Derivative Work" means any work that is derived from, based upon, or
produced by modifying the Software, including but not limited to:
(a) forks — independent copies of the Software that diverge from the
original with separate development;
(b) modified distributions — versions of HackerOS repackaged or altered
for redistribution;
(c) systems or products that incorporate substantial portions of the
Software;
(d) translations, adaptations, or ports of the Software to other
platforms or architectures.
A work that merely uses the Software's public interfaces without modifying
or incorporating its source code is NOT a Derivative Work under this License.
1.6. "Contributor" means any natural person or legal entity that:
(a) submits patches, commits, pull requests, or other modifications to
the Software's official repository; or
(b) submits new files, assets, scripts, or documentation for inclusion
in the Software.
The copyright holder is also a Contributor.
1.7. "Contribution" means any original work of authorship — including code,
documentation, configuration, artwork, or other material — intentionally
submitted by a Contributor for inclusion in the Software.
1.8. "Malicious Software" (also "Malware") means any software, script, payload,
module, or component whose primary or secondary purpose is to:
(a) damage, corrupt, erase, or deny access to data, files, or systems;
(b) gain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or user accounts;
(c) surveil, track, intercept communications of, or collect personal
data from individuals without their informed and explicit consent;
(d) extort users through encryption, threats, or other coercive means
(ransomware);
(e) deliver unsolicited advertisements or redirect user activity for
profit (adware);
(f) record keystrokes, screenshots, or user behavior without consent
(keyloggers, stalkerware);
(g) participate in coordinated attacks against infrastructure
(botnets, DDoS tools);
(h) facilitate the above on behalf of a third party.
1.9. "Authorized Security Research" means security research, vulnerability
disclosure, penetration testing, red-team exercises, or defensive tool
development that is:
(a) conducted with explicit written authorization from the owner of the
systems being tested; or
(b) conducted in isolated, controlled environments (sandboxes, labs)
with no impact on real users or production systems; or
(c) conducted under a recognized bug bounty program or responsible
disclosure framework.
1.10. "License" means this document — the HackerOS Public License, Version 1.0.
1.11. "You" (or "Your") means the individual or legal entity exercising rights
granted by this License.
1.12. "Distribute" means to make the Software or a Derivative Work available
to one or more third parties by any means, including physical media,
network transfer, container images, package repositories, or app stores.
================================================================================
PART II — RIGHTS GRANTED
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§2. GRANT OF COPYRIGHT LICENSE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
2.1. Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, the copyright holder
and each Contributor hereby grant You a worldwide, royalty-free,
non-exclusive, perpetual license to:
(a) use the Software for any lawful purpose, including personal,
educational, research, and commercial use;
(b) reproduce and copy the Software in whole or in part;
(c) modify the Software and create Derivative Works;
(d) Distribute the Software and Derivative Works, with or without
modifications, in source or compiled form;
(e) sublicense the Software to third parties, subject to the terms
of this License.
2.2. These rights are granted free of charge and without royalty obligations,
subject to compliance with all conditions set forth in this License.
2.3. Rights granted under this License are conditional. Any violation of the
terms of this License automatically triggers the termination provisions
described in §10.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§3. CONDITIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3.1. RETENTION OF NOTICES:
Every copy or substantial portion of the Software that You Distribute —
whether in original or modified form, in source or binary — must include:
(a) the original copyright notice as it appears at the top of this file;
(b) a complete, unmodified copy of this License, or a clearly visible
hyperlink to the canonical online version of this License;
(c) if the Software has been modified: a prominent notice stating that
the files have been changed, the date of the changes, and the name
or identifier of the entity that made the changes.
3.2. NOTICE FILE:
If the Software includes a NOTICE file, You must include a readable copy
of the attribution notices contained therein in any Derivative Work You
Distribute. You may add Your own attribution notices within Derivative
Works alongside or appended to the NOTICE text, provided such notices
cannot be construed as modifying the License.
3.3. SOURCE CODE:
If You Distribute a compiled or binary-only form of the Software, You must
either:
(a) include the complete corresponding source code; or
(b) provide a written offer, valid for at least three (3) years, to
supply the complete source code upon request, free of charge or at
the cost of distribution only.
3.4. INTEGRITY OF LICENSE TEXT:
You may not modify the text of this License. You may not distribute the
Software under a license that conflicts with the terms herein, except as
explicitly permitted in §4.3 (Non-Core flexibility).
================================================================================
PART III — BRAND AND IDENTITY
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§4. BRAND PROTECTION AND TRADEMARK POLICY
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4.1. PROTECTION OF BRAND MARKS:
The Brand Marks are the sole identity of the HackerOS project. This License
does NOT grant You any right to use the Brand Marks, except as expressly
permitted in this section. Specifically, You may NOT:
(a) use any Brand Mark as the name or part of the name of a Derivative
Work or competing product;
(b) use any Brand Mark in advertising, promotional materials, social
media, press releases, or marketing of a Derivative Work or product;
(c) use any Brand Mark in a way that implies endorsement, certification,
sponsorship, or official affiliation with HackerOS or its copyright
holder without express written permission;
(d) register any Brand Mark, or any confusingly similar mark, as a
trademark, domain name, or social media handle.
4.2. OBTAINING PERMISSION:
If You wish to use any Brand Mark beyond the limited use described in §4.3,
You must obtain prior written permission from the copyright holder. Such
permission may be granted via email or other written communication and may
include specific conditions, scope, duration, and revocation terms.
Requests should be directed to the official contact listed in the project
repository.
4.3. PERMITTED NEUTRAL REFERENCES:
You MAY use the name "HackerOS" solely for factual, neutral, and descriptive
purposes, including:
(a) stating that Your project or product is "based on HackerOS",
"derived from HackerOS", or "built using HackerOS components";
(b) referring to HackerOS by name in technical documentation, academic
papers, or comparative reviews;
(c) filing bug reports, feature requests, or contributions upstream.
Such references must not suggest official affiliation, sponsorship,
endorsement, or certification.
4.4. NAMING DERIVATIVE WORKS:
Any Derivative Work must be given a name that is clearly and meaningfully
distinct from "HackerOS". The following are NOT permitted without written
permission:
(a) names that include "HackerOS" as a word or component;
(b) names that are phonetically or visually confusingly similar to
"HackerOS";
(c) names that use the HackerOS logo, icon, or visual identity.
4.5. VISUAL IDENTITY:
You may not use the HackerOS logo, icon, default wallpapers, splash screens,
or other distinctive visual assets to represent Your Derivative Work without
written permission. You must replace these assets with original artwork in
any publicly distributed Derivative Work.
================================================================================
PART IV — FORK AND DERIVATIVE WORK POLICY
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§5. FORK RULES AND LICENSE INHERITANCE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
5.1. RIGHT TO FORK:
You are explicitly and freely permitted to fork the Software, create
Derivative Works, and distribute them. The HackerOS project welcomes
community forks, experimental variants, and specialized derivatives.
5.2. LICENSE INHERITANCE — CORE COMPONENTS:
Any Derivative Work that modifies, replaces, or is substantially derived
from the Core must be distributed under this License (HOPL-1.0 or any
later version published by the copyright holder). You may not apply
additional restrictions beyond those in this License to the Core portions
of such a Derivative Work.
5.3. LICENSE FLEXIBILITY — NON-CORE COMPONENTS:
Non-Core Components of a Derivative Work may be released under a different
open-source license, provided that:
(a) the chosen license is an OSI-approved open-source license;
(b) the Core portions of the Derivative Work remain under HOPL;
(c) no license applied to Non-Core Components contradicts or overrides
the terms of HOPL as applied to the Core.
Examples of compatible licenses include, without limitation:
MIT, BSD 2-Clause, BSD 3-Clause, Apache 2.0, MPL 2.0, GPL 2.0, GPL 3.0,
LGPL 2.1, LGPL 3.0, and EUPL 1.2.
5.4. DOCUMENTATION OF LICENSING:
Any Derivative Work that contains components under different licenses must
clearly document this. Specifically, You must:
(a) include a LICENSE.md, LICENSES/, or equivalent file in the
repository listing all licenses used and the components they cover;
(b) ensure that each file or component is clearly marked with its
applicable license (via SPDX identifiers, file headers, or both);
(c) not misrepresent the licensing of any component.
5.5. UPSTREAM CONTRIBUTIONS:
If You contribute changes back to the original HackerOS project, those
contributions are governed by §7 (Contributions) of this License.
================================================================================
PART V — PATENT RIGHTS
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§6. PATENT LICENSE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
6.1. GRANT OF PATENT LICENSE:
Each Contributor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable
(except as stated in §6.2), non-exclusive, sublicensable patent license
to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and otherwise
transfer the Software. This patent license applies only to those patent
claims that are necessarily infringed by:
(a) that Contributor's Contribution alone; or
(b) the combination of that Contributor's Contribution with the Software
as it existed at the time the Contribution was submitted.
This license does not extend to any patent claims that would be infringed
only as a consequence of further modification of the Software by You or
a third party.
6.2. PATENT RETALIATION CLAUSE:
If You initiate, or are a party to, any legal proceeding — including
a lawsuit, arbitration, counterclaim, or cross-claim — against any person
or entity, asserting that the Software, or any portion of it, constitutes
direct, indirect, contributory, or induced patent infringement:
(a) all patent licenses granted to You under §6.1 of this License
terminate automatically and immediately as of the date such
proceedings are filed;
(b) this termination applies to all patent licenses from all Contributors,
regardless of which Contributor's patents are at issue;
(c) this termination is permanent and is not subject to the 30-day cure
window described in §10.3.
6.3. SCOPE LIMITATION:
This License does not grant You any rights in the trademarks, service marks,
or trade names of any Contributor. No implied licenses are granted beyond
those expressly stated in this section.
6.4. NO REPRESENTATION OF NON-INFRINGEMENT:
The copyright holder and Contributors make no representation that the
Software does not infringe any third-party patents. It is Your responsibility
to ensure that Your use of the Software complies with applicable patent law
in Your jurisdiction.
================================================================================
PART VI — PROHIBITED USES
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§7. MALWARE AND HARMFUL USE PROHIBITION
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
7.1. ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION:
You may NOT use the Software, or any portion thereof, as a component,
building block, tool, loader, installer, payload delivery mechanism, or
foundation for the creation, distribution, or operation of Malicious
Software as defined in §1.8.
7.2. SURVEILLANCE PROHIBITION:
You may NOT use the Software to surveil, monitor, track, intercept the
communications of, or collect personal data from any individual or group
without their prior, informed, explicit, and freely given consent.
This prohibition applies regardless of whether the surveillance is conducted
by You directly or on behalf of a third party.
7.3. NO WEAPONIZATION AGAINST USERS:
You may NOT use the Software in any way that is designed to harm, deceive,
manipulate, coerce, or exploit the end users of Your product or service.
This includes but is not limited to: deceptive UI patterns that circumvent
user choice, unauthorized data collection, or functionality designed to
cause financial harm to users.
7.4. SECURITY RESEARCH EXEMPTION:
Sections 7.1 and 7.2 do NOT restrict Authorized Security Research as
defined in §1.9. Legitimate security researchers, penetration testers,
and defensive tool developers may use the Software within the bounds of
Authorized Security Research without violating this License.
7.5. TERMINATION FOR VIOLATION:
Any violation of §7.1, §7.2, or §7.3 results in the immediate and
automatic, irrevocable termination of all rights granted under this
License, with no cure period. See §10.2 for details.
================================================================================
PART VII — CONTRIBUTIONS
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§8. CONTRIBUTOR TERMS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
8.1. LICENSE GRANT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS:
Unless You explicitly state otherwise in writing at the time of submission,
by submitting a Contribution to the HackerOS project, You grant the
copyright holder and all users of the Software a worldwide, royalty-free,
irrevocable, non-exclusive license under Your copyright and patent rights
to reproduce, prepare Derivative Works of, publicly display, publicly
perform, sublicense, and distribute the Contribution and such Derivative
Works under the terms of this License.
8.2. REPRESENTATIONS BY CONTRIBUTORS:
By submitting a Contribution, You represent and warrant that:
(a) You have the full legal right and authority to submit the Contribution
under the terms of this License;
(b) the Contribution is Your original work, or You have obtained all
necessary rights, licenses, and permissions to submit it;
(c) the Contribution does not, to the best of Your knowledge, infringe
any third-party intellectual property rights;
(d) if the Contribution includes third-party code, that code is clearly
identified, and its license is compatible with this License;
(e) the Contribution does not contain Malicious Software as defined
in §1.8.
8.3. MARKING MODIFICATIONS:
If You modify any file that is part of the Software, You must:
(a) add a prominent notice at the top of the file stating that You have
modified it;
(b) include the date of the modification;
(c) include a brief description of the change, or a reference to a
changelog or commit log where such description can be found.
8.4. NO OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT:
The copyright holder is under no obligation to accept, review, or merge
any Contribution. Submission of a Contribution does not create any
employment, partnership, or agency relationship between the Contributor
and the copyright holder.
================================================================================
PART VIII — DISCLAIMERS AND LIABILITY
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§9. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
9.1. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE
COPYRIGHT HOLDER AND EACH CONTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
(a) WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY — that the Software is fit for
general commercial use or meets average quality standards;
(b) WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE — that the Software
meets Your specific requirements or intended use;
(c) WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT — that the Software does not infringe
any third-party patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other
intellectual property right;
(d) WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY — that the Software will
operate without error, interruption, or data loss;
(e) WARRANTIES OF SECURITY — that the Software is free from
vulnerabilities or that its use will not expose You to security risks.
9.2. THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES to the Software in any form — source code,
compiled binary, documentation, graphical assets, scripts, or any other
material distributed as part of the HackerOS project.
9.3. SOME JURISDICTIONS do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties.
In such jurisdictions, this disclaimer applies to the maximum extent
permitted by law.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
10.1. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT AND UNDER
NO LEGAL THEORY — WHETHER IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT
LIABILITY), CONTRACT, STATUTORY LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE — SHALL THE
COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR ANY CONTRIBUTOR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY:
(a) DIRECT DAMAGES arising from Your use of or inability to use the
Software;
(b) INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
including without limitation:
— loss of data or data corruption;
— loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities;
— business interruption or downtime;
— loss of goodwill or reputation;
— cost of substitute goods, services, or technology;
— personal injury or property damage caused by use of the Software.
10.2. THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY APPLIES EVEN IF the copyright holder or
Contributor has been advised of the possibility of such damages, and even
if any remedy provided in this License fails of its essential purpose.
10.3. SOME JURISDICTIONS do not allow the limitation of liability for incidental
or consequential damages. In such jurisdictions, liability is limited to
the minimum amount permitted by law.
================================================================================
PART IX — TERMINATION
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§11. TERMINATION OF RIGHTS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
11.1. AUTOMATIC TERMINATION:
Your rights under this License terminate automatically, without notice,
upon any material breach of its terms. A "material breach" includes but
is not limited to: failing to retain required notices (§3.1), using Brand
Marks without permission (§4), distributing under incompatible terms (§3.4),
or any prohibited use under §7.
11.2. IMMEDIATE AND IRREVOCABLE TERMINATION:
The following violations result in immediate, permanent, and irrevocable
termination of all rights, with NO cure period:
(a) any violation of §7 (Malware and Harmful Use Prohibition);
(b) invocation of the patent retaliation clause under §6.2
(initiating patent litigation against the Software or its users).
Upon such termination, You must immediately cease all use, distribution,
and reproduction of the Software and destroy all copies in Your possession
or control.
11.3. CURE PERIOD FOR OTHER VIOLATIONS:
For material breaches other than those listed in §11.2, Your rights are
terminated automatically upon the breach, but may be reinstated if:
(a) You become aware of the breach (through Your own discovery or
written notice from the copyright holder or another party);
(b) AND You remedy the breach completely within thirty (30) calendar
days of becoming aware of it.
Upon complete remedy within the cure period, Your license is reinstated
automatically and retroactively, as if it had never been terminated.
The cure period may only be used once per category of breach; repeated
violations of the same type do not qualify for additional cure periods.
11.4. SURVIVAL:
The following provisions survive any termination of this License:
§1 (Definitions), §9 (Disclaimer of Warranties), §10 (Limitation of
Liability), §11.4 (Survival), and §12 (General Provisions).
================================================================================
PART X — GENERAL PROVISIONS
================================================================================
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
§12. GENERAL PROVISIONS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
12.1. SEVERABILITY:
If any provision of this License is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision
shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable,
or if modification is not possible, it shall be severed from this License.
The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full
force and effect.
12.2. NO WAIVER:
The failure of the copyright holder to enforce any provision of this License
shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or of the right to enforce
it at a later time. No waiver of any breach constitutes a waiver of any
subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
12.3. GOVERNING LAW:
This License is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the country of residence or principal place of business of the copyright
holder, without regard to conflict of law principles, unless the parties
agree otherwise in writing.
12.4. DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this License that cannot
be resolved amicably shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the courts located in the jurisdiction described in §12.3, unless otherwise
agreed in writing by both parties.
12.5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:
This License constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the Software and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous
understandings, representations, and agreements — whether oral or written
— relating to its subject matter.
12.6. NO ENDORSEMENT:
Nothing in this License shall be construed as granting permission to use
the name, trade name, trademark, service mark, or product name of the
copyright holder or any Contributor, except as required for the reasonable
and customary use in describing the origin of the Software under §4.3.
12.7. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES:
This License does not create any employment, partnership, joint venture,
agency, franchise, or sales representative relationship between the parties.
You are an independent actor exercising rights granted herein.
12.8. LANGUAGE:
This License is written in English. In the event of any conflict between
this text and any translation thereof, the English text shall prevail.
12.9. LATER VERSIONS OF THIS LICENSE:
The copyright holder may publish revised and updated versions of the
HackerOS Public License from time to time. Each version will be given
a distinguishing version number (e.g., "HOPL-1.1", "HOPL-2.0").
(a) If a version of the Software specifies "HOPL-1.0 only", You may
only use, distribute, and modify that version of the Software under
the exact terms of HOPL-1.0.
(b) If a version of the Software specifies "HOPL-1.0 or later", You
may choose to follow the terms of HOPL-1.0 or any later version
published by the copyright holder.
(c) If a version of the Software does not specify a version restriction,
You may use the terms of any version of the HOPL.
12.10. CONTACT:
Questions about this License, permission requests, or inquiries about
the HackerOS project should be directed to the official contact information
listed in the project repository at:
https://[your-project-url]
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
APPENDIX A — HOW TO APPLY THIS LICENSE TO YOUR PROJECT
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
To apply the HackerOS Public License to your own project, attach the following
boilerplate notice to the top of each source file, replacing the fields in
brackets with your own information:
============================================================
Copyright (c) [YEAR] [YOUR FULL NAME]
HackerOS Project — https://[your-project-url]
This file is part of [PROJECT NAME] and is distributed under
the HackerOS Public License, Version 1.0 (HOPL-1.0).
See the LICENSE file in the project root for full license text,
or visit: https://hackeros.org/license/HOPL-1.0
============================================================
For binary distributions, include the LICENSE file in the distribution package
and reference it from your README, installer, or system documentation.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
APPENDIX B — THIRD-PARTY AND OPEN-SOURCE COMPONENTS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
HackerOS is built upon and incorporates components from the broader open-source
ecosystem. This License applies to the original work of the HackerOS project.
Third-party components included in the distribution retain their original
licenses. A full list of third-party components and their respective licenses
is maintained in the THIRD-PARTY-LICENSES file in the official repository.
Users and distributors are responsible for complying with the terms of all
applicable third-party licenses in addition to this License.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
APPENDIX C — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (NON-BINDING)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Q: Can I use HackerOS at work / in my company?
A: Yes. Commercial use is fully permitted under §2.1.
Q: Can I build a paid product on top of HackerOS?
A: Yes, as long as you comply with this License — including keeping the Core
under HOPL, not using the HackerOS name/logo without permission, and not
removing copyright notices.
Q: Can I create and publish my own HackerOS-based distro?
A: Yes. Fork it, rename it (per §4.4), replace the logo/branding (per §4.5),
keep the Core under HOPL (per §5.2), and you're good to go.
Q: Can I use HackerOS for security research or penetration testing?
A: Yes, within the bounds of Authorized Security Research as defined in §1.9.
You may not use it to attack systems you do not have permission to test.
Q: What happens if I accidentally violate the license?
A: For most violations, you have 30 days to fix it (§11.3). For malware use or
patent litigation, there is no cure — the license ends immediately (§11.2).
Q: Can I submit bug fixes or new features upstream?
A: Yes, and it's encouraged. See §8 for the contributor terms that apply.
Q: I want to use the HackerOS name in my project. How do I get permission?
A: Contact the copyright holder via the official project repository. See §4.2.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
APPENDIX D — COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT REPORTING (DMCA / TAKEDOWN POLICY)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The HackerOS project respects the intellectual property rights of others and
expects users and distributors to do the same. If you believe that any material
distributed under the HackerOS name or via its official channels infringes upon
your copyright, please submit a report using the procedure described below.
D.1. WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR REPORT:
To enable the project to investigate and act on your claim promptly,
your report must include all of the following:
(a) Your full legal name and contact information (email address required;
physical address and phone number optional but recommended);
(b) A clear identification of the copyrighted work you claim has been
infringed — for example, a title, URL to the original, or a
description sufficient to locate it;
(c) A clear identification of the material you claim is infringing,
including the URL, file path, package name, or other information
sufficient to locate it within the HackerOS project or distribution;
(d) A brief statement explaining why you believe the material infringes
your copyright (e.g., it reproduces your work without authorization,
without attribution, or in violation of your license terms);
(e) A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use of the
material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the
copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
(f) A statement that the information in your report is accurate and,
under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf
of the copyright owner.
D.2. WHERE TO SEND YOUR REPORT:
Submit all copyright infringement reports to the official contact address
listed in the project repository:
https://[your-project-url]
Reports should use the subject line:
[COPYRIGHT REPORT] — <brief description of the issue>
Incomplete reports — those missing any of the elements listed in D.1 —
may not be acted upon until the missing information is provided.
D.3. RESPONSE PROCESS:
Upon receipt of a complete and valid report, the copyright holder will:
(a) acknowledge receipt of the report within a reasonable time;
(b) investigate the claim in good faith;
(c) take appropriate action, which may include removal, modification,
or replacement of the reported material, or a counter-notice if
the claim is found to be without merit.
D.4. ABUSE OF THIS PROCESS:
Submitting a knowingly false or misleading copyright infringement report
may expose you to legal liability. This process is intended solely for
legitimate intellectual property concerns and must not be used as a tool
for harassment, competitive suppression, or censorship of lawful activity.
D.5. SCOPE:
This policy applies to material directly published or distributed by the
HackerOS project. The copyright holder is not responsible for, and cannot
act on reports concerning, third-party forks, mirrors, or redistributions
that operate independently of the official project.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
APPENDIX E — EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
HackerOS is software of international origin, made available for download and
use worldwide. By using, distributing, or exporting the Software, you
acknowledge and agree to comply with all applicable export control laws and
regulations, including but not limited to those described in this Appendix.
E.1. UNITED STATES EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR):
The Software may be subject to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations
(EAR), administered by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
You agree that You will not export, re-export, or transfer the Software,
directly or indirectly, to:
(a) any country, region, or territory subject to a U.S. government
embargo or comprehensive sanctions at the time of export;
(b) any individual, entity, or organization listed on:
— the U.S. Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals
and Blocked Persons List (SDN List);
— the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List or Denied Persons
List;
— any other applicable U.S. government restricted-party list;
(c) any end-user for the purpose of developing, producing, stockpiling,
or using chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons,
or missiles capable of delivering such weapons.
E.2. EUROPEAN UNION DUAL-USE REGULATION:
The Software may also be subject to the European Union's Regulation on
the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and
transfer of dual-use items (EU Dual-Use Regulation 2021/821). You agree
to comply with all applicable EU export control obligations when using or
distributing the Software within or from the European Union or European
Economic Area.
E.3. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:
It is Your sole responsibility to determine the export classification of
the Software in Your jurisdiction and to ensure that Your use, export,
and re-export of the Software comply with all applicable laws and
regulations. The copyright holder makes no representation that the
Software is appropriate or available for use in every country, and
expressly disclaims any responsibility for violations of export control
law by You or any third party acting under Your direction.
E.4. ENCRYPTION NOTICE:
HackerOS may include or make use of cryptographic software. The import,
export, possession, or use of cryptographic software may be restricted
in some jurisdictions. It is Your responsibility to verify the legal
requirements applicable to cryptographic software in Your country before
downloading, using, or distributing the Software.
E.5. GOOD FAITH COMPLIANCE:
The copyright holder distributes this Software in good faith for lawful
purposes. Nothing in this Appendix shall be construed as legal advice.
If You are uncertain about Your export compliance obligations, You are
strongly encouraged to consult a qualified legal professional in Your
jurisdiction before proceeding.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
APPENDIX F — PRIVACY DECLARATION
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
HackerOS is designed with user privacy as a core value. This declaration
applies to the Software as distributed by the official HackerOS project.
F.1. NO DATA COLLECTION BY DEFAULT:
The HackerOS Software, as distributed by the official project, does NOT
collect, transmit, store, or process any personal data, usage data,
telemetry, crash reports, or diagnostic information from users' systems.
No data of any kind is sent to the copyright holder or any third party
as part of normal Software operation.
F.2. NO TRACKING, NO ANALYTICS:
The Software contains no tracking mechanisms, analytics modules, or
"phone home" functionality of any kind. The copyright holder has no
visibility into how, where, or by whom the Software is used.
F.3. NETWORK ACTIVITY:
The only network activity initiated by the Software is that which is
explicitly requested by the user, such as:
(a) package manager operations (downloading updates or packages from
configured repositories at the user's explicit request);
(b) any network tools or utilities used by the user directly.
All such activity is user-initiated and user-controlled.
F.4. FORKS AND THIRD-PARTY DISTRIBUTIONS:
This privacy declaration applies solely to the official HackerOS
distribution. Third-party forks, repackaged versions, or modified
distributions may have different data practices. Users of such
distributions should review the privacy policies of those projects
independently. The copyright holder is not responsible for the data
practices of any fork or derivative.
F.5. FUTURE CHANGES:
If any future official release of HackerOS introduces optional data
collection features (such as opt-in crash reporting), such features will:
(a) be clearly disclosed in the release notes and in-system documentation;
(b) be strictly opt-in — disabled by default;
(c) require explicit, informed user consent before any data is collected;
(d) be governed by a separate, clearly published privacy policy.
This License will be updated accordingly in such event.
################################################################################
## ##
## HackerOS Public License (HOPL) Version 1.0 ##
## ##
## Sections: ##
## Part I — Definitions (§1) ##
## Part II — Rights Granted (§2–§3) ##
## Part III — Brand and Identity (§4) ##
## Part IV — Fork and Derivative Work Policy (§5) ##
## Part V — Patent Rights (§6) ##
## Part VI — Prohibited Uses (§7) ##
## Part VII — Contributions (§8) ##
## Part VIII — Disclaimers and Liability (§9–§10) ##
## Part IX — Termination (§11) ##
## Part X — General Provisions (§12) ##
## Appendix A — How to Apply This License ##
## Appendix B — Third-Party Components ##
## Appendix C — FAQ (Non-Binding) ##
## Appendix D — Copyright Infringement Reporting (DMCA) ##
## Appendix E — Export Control Compliance ##
## Appendix F — Privacy Declaration ##
## ##
## Inspired by: ##
## — MIT License (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) ##
## — BSD 3-Clause License (Regents of the University of California) ##
## — Apache License, Version 2.0 (Apache Software Foundation) ##
## ##
## Crafted specifically for the HackerOS Linux Distribution. ##
## A distribution built by one person, for everyone. ##
## ##
## HOPL-0.1 FINAL ##
## ##
## END OF LICENSE ##
## ##
################################################################################