Is GPL 2.0 compatible with BSD-3?
GPL 2.0-licensed code is not compatible with a BSD-3 project. Here is what that means for your obligations, conflicts, and distribution.
The license of the code you want to use.
The license you are applying to your project.
The short answer
GPL 2.0 is a copyleft license — any combined work must keep that copyleft license, so you cannot wrap it in a permissive license like BSD-3.
Key obligations
Adopt GPL 2.0 for the whole project to use this code.
Potential conflicts
Copyleft requires derivative works to be released under the same terms.
Distribution notes
Prohibited under BSD-3.
Deep-dive resources
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What this means in practice
GNU GPL v2.0 (Only) is a strong copyleft license and BSD 3-Clause is a permissive license. Combining them in a single distributed work is not permitted because their terms conflict. You can often still use the GPL 2.0 component if you keep it at arm's length — behind a separate process or network boundary — or by choosing an alternatively-licensed dependency.
Compliance checklist for GPL 2.0 → BSD-3
- Do not combine GPL 2.0 and BSD-3 code in the same distributed binary.
- Isolate the GPL 2.0 component behind a process or network boundary if you must use it.
- Evaluate an alternatively-licensed library, or re-license your project to resolve the conflict.
- Get legal sign-off before shipping anything that links the two.
About these licenses
GNU GPL v2.0 (Only)
LibraryStrong copyleft. Distributing a combined work means releasing all of it under GPL v2.0. The "only" variant is incompatible with the GPL v3 family.
- Type
- Strong copyleft
- Patent grant
- None
- Source sharing
- Entire combined work
BSD 3-Clause
ProjectPermissive like MIT, plus a clause barring use of the project's name to endorse derived products.
- Type
- Permissive
- Patent grant
- None
- Source sharing
- Not required
GPL 2.0 and BSD-3: frequently asked questions
Common questions about combining GNU GPL v2.0 (Only) and BSD 3-Clause.
Is GPL 2.0 compatible with BSD-3?
GPL 2.0 is a copyleft license — any combined work must keep that copyleft license, so you cannot wrap it in a permissive license like BSD-3.
Can I use GPL 2.0 code in a BSD-3 SaaS or cloud application?
Over SaaS, traditional copyleft licenses like GPL 2.0 often do not trigger their share-alike requirements (the "SaaS loophole"). This is legally complex and only conditionally compatible.
What are my obligations when combining GPL 2.0 and BSD-3?
Adopt GPL 2.0 for the whole project to use this code. Prohibited under BSD-3.