Modrinth

Details

The project is comprized of different packages, each provided under its own license. By looking at all the files named “License” or “Copying” in the repository, these appear to be a mix of AGPLv3, GPLv3, MIT, Apache 2.0 and CC0 1.0. According to the project’s readme, the two primary packages are the web interface, which is provided under an AGPLv3 license, and the desktop app, which is provided under a GPLv3 license.

There are several packages within the repository, like this “ariadne” package, with no clear license applied leaving ambiguity in regard to the overall use and compatibility of the components.

In addition to the source code, the repository also contains branding assets that may not be used without permission and that must be removed from forks. Finding them all requires searching in each package, as there is no global list of files covered by this license.

While the source code of the desktop app is free, its distribution on the project’s website is provided under non-free Terms of Use which restrict use (but not redistribution), limiting it to personal (non-commercial) use only and forbidding it completely for people under 13 years old.

The project advertises as open source multiple times on their homepage.

In our review, we did not find any evidence of relicensing rights handover (through the use of something like a CLA) as part of the contribution process, but the project does appear to be receiving contributions. This may raise further concerns when considered in combination with the GPLv3 in addition to non-licensed code, and the distribution under additional terms.

The project is managed by Rinth Inc., a private company based in the USA, and appears to be funded by putting advertisements on the app, by selling a paid version of the app that removes these advertisements, and by selling hosted Minecraft servers.