Ask HN: Using a library licensed under AGPL v3

[slinger]

Hi HN,

I want to integrate spaced repetition on my SaaS app (under development) using Anki's modified SuperMemo 2.0 library, but it is licensed under AGPL v3.

As stated in the license, any modification needs to be distributed back to the community. I will not modify it, but it will be an essential component of my application. Creating a work (my app) "based on" another work (Anki) qualifies as a modification?

Do I need to open source my whole app if I use it?

[cylinder714]

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, as your app would be considered "a covered work":

A "covered work" means either the unmodified Program [Anki's library] or a work based on the Program [your app].

By comparison, if the library were licensed under the LGPL you would only be responsible for distributing copies of the library if you modfied them. Your own work would be unaffected.

[slinger]

Thank you. I will open source it under AGPL v3 as well