GPT-OSS models are released under the Apache 2.0 license, which allows developers to build freely without copyleft restrictions or patent risk, making them ideal for experimentation, customization, and commercial deployment. The Apache 2.0 license is one of the most permissive open-source licenses available, providing significant freedom for both commercial and non-commercial use cases.
According to OpenAI’s documentation, the models come with a minimal usage policy stating: "We aim for our tools to be used safely, responsibly, and democratically, while maximizing your control over how you use them. By using gpt-oss, you agree to comply with all applicable law". This approach represents a significant shift from OpenAI’s typically more restrictive licensing terms for their advanced models, reflecting their commitment to making AI more accessible to the broader development community.
The Apache 2.0 license specifically permits users to use, modify, distribute, and sublicense the models for any purpose, including commercial applications. Users can fine-tune the models for specific domains, integrate them into proprietary products, create derivative works, and redistribute modified versions. The license also provides protection against patent litigation related to the licensed technology. The models are fully fine-tunable, allowing developers to customize them to specific use cases through parameter fine-tuning. Unlike some open-source AI licenses that restrict commercial use or require sharing modifications, the Apache 2.0 license places minimal restrictions on usage, requiring only attribution and inclusion of the original license text in distributions.
For more detailed information, see: GPT-oss vs o4-mini: Edge-Ready, On-Par Performance — Dependable, Not Mind-Blowing