License Strategy

BRepAX uses Apache License 2.0 for all original code, with a transitive dependency on OCCT (LGPL 2.1) via cadquery-ocp-novtk.

What This Means for Users

Academic and Research Use

No restrictions. LGPL permits unrestricted use for research, papers, and collaboration.

Personal and Open-Source Use

No restrictions. The dynamic linking exception of LGPL 2.1 applies; users can freely use BRepAX in their projects regardless of license.

Commercial Internal Use

No restrictions. Companies can use BRepAX internally without LGPL obligations (internal tools are not "distribution").

Commercial Redistribution (Closed-Source)

LGPL requires that users can replace the LGPL component. Since OCCT is dynamically linked via Python wheels, this is satisfied by default. Users can install a different version of cadquery-ocp-novtk without modifying BRepAX.

Industry Precedent

CadQuery (Apache 2.0) and build123d use the identical structure: Apache 2.0 wrapper around LGPL OCCT. Both have wide adoption in industry and academia without license issues.