From bb6b3118abe91b7124b98a36eb9630d0d68f3bdd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: StillHammer Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:54:42 +0700 Subject: [PATCH] chore: Switch to dual license (GPL v3 + Commercial) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit - Add LICENSE-GPL: GNU GPL v3 for open source projects - Add LICENSE-COMMERCIAL: Royalty-based commercial license * Free up to €100k revenue * 1% royalties above €100k * Includes email support - Update README.md: Dual license explanation and comparison - Remove old MIT LICENSE This dual licensing model allows: - Free use for open source projects (GPL v3) - Commercial use with fair royalty model (1% > €100k) - More competitive than Unreal Engine (5% > $1M) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 --- LICENSE | 21 -- LICENSE-COMMERCIAL | 342 ++++++++++++++++++++++ LICENSE-GPL | 694 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ README.md | 79 +++++- 4 files changed, 1114 insertions(+), 22 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 LICENSE create mode 100644 LICENSE-COMMERCIAL create mode 100644 LICENSE-GPL diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE deleted file mode 100644 index dac4e15..0000000 --- a/LICENSE +++ /dev/null @@ -1,21 +0,0 @@ -MIT License - -Copyright (c) 2025 StillHammer - -Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy -of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal -in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights -to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell -copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is -furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: - -The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all -copies or substantial portions of the Software. - -THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR -IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, -FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE -AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER -LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, -OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE -SOFTWARE. diff --git a/LICENSE-COMMERCIAL b/LICENSE-COMMERCIAL new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5171ab1 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE-COMMERCIAL @@ -0,0 +1,342 @@ +GROVEENGINE COMMERCIAL LICENSE +Version 1.0 - January 2025 + +Copyright (C) 2025 StillHammer +Contact: alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com + +================================================================================ +1. PREAMBLE +================================================================================ + +GroveEngine is a modular C++ engine architecture designed for rapid game +development with hot-reload capabilities. This Commercial License allows you +to use GroveEngine in proprietary, closed-source commercial projects under a +fair royalty model. + +This license is intended for: +- Independent game developers +- Game studios creating commercial products +- Anyone who wants to keep their game code proprietary + +If you prefer to develop open-source games, consider using the GPL v3 license +instead (see LICENSE-GPL). + +================================================================================ +2. GRANT OF LICENSE +================================================================================ + +Subject to the terms and conditions of this license, StillHammer grants you a +worldwide, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to: + +- Use GroveEngine in unlimited commercial projects +- Modify the engine source code for your own use +- Distribute games built with GroveEngine +- Keep your game code and modifications proprietary +- Use GroveEngine in both released and unreleased projects + +This license does NOT grant you the right to: +- Redistribute GroveEngine itself (source or binary) +- Sublicense GroveEngine to third parties +- Transfer this license to another entity +- Remove or modify license headers in GroveEngine source files + +================================================================================ +3. ROYALTY TERMS +================================================================================ + +3.1 FREE TIER (€0 - €100,000 gross revenue per project) + +GroveEngine is FREE for projects earning up to €100,000 in gross revenue. +- No upfront payment required +- No royalties owed +- Full commercial use permitted +- All engine features included + +3.2 ROYALTY TIER (Above €100,000 gross revenue per project) + +For projects exceeding €100,000 in gross revenue: +- 1% royalty on gross revenue above €100,000 +- Calculated per-project, not per-entity +- Annual reporting and payment + +3.3 GROSS REVENUE DEFINITION + +"Gross Revenue" means all revenue directly attributable to a project built +with GroveEngine, including but not limited to: +- Game sales (digital and physical) +- In-app purchases and microtransactions +- Subscriptions +- DLC and expansions +- Advertising revenue +- Licensing fees + +Gross revenue does NOT include: +- Platform fees (Steam, Epic, App Store, etc.) +- Payment processing fees +- Refunds issued to customers +- Taxes (VAT, sales tax, etc.) + +3.4 CALCULATION EXAMPLES + +Example 1: Indie game earning €80,000 +→ Royalty: €0 (within free tier) + +Example 2: Successful game earning €250,000 +→ Free tier: €100,000 = €0 +→ Royalty tier: €150,000 × 1% = €1,500 +→ Total royalty owed: €1,500 + +Example 3: Hit game earning €1,000,000 +→ Free tier: €100,000 = €0 +→ Royalty tier: €900,000 × 1% = €9,000 +→ Total royalty owed: €9,000 + +Note: Unreal Engine equivalent (5% above $1M USD) would be ~€47,500 on €1M + +================================================================================ +4. REPORTING & PAYMENT +================================================================================ + +4.1 ANNUAL REPORTING + +For projects exceeding €100,000 in gross revenue, you must submit an annual +revenue report by January 31st of the following year. + +Report must include: +- Project name +- Calendar year covered +- Total gross revenue for the year +- Platform breakdown (optional but helpful) +- Calculated royalty amount + +Send reports to: alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com +Subject: "GroveEngine Royalty Report [Year] - [Project Name]" + +4.2 PAYMENT TERMS + +- Payment due within 30 days of report submission +- Accepted methods: Bank transfer (SEPA/SWIFT), PayPal +- Payment instructions will be provided upon report receipt +- Currency: Euro (EUR) - convert if reporting in other currencies + +4.3 LATE PAYMENT + +Late payments incur a penalty of 5% per month of the outstanding amount. +If payment is more than 90 days overdue, this license may be terminated. + +4.4 GOOD FAITH + +We operate on good faith and trust. You are responsible for accurate reporting. +See Section 8 (Audit Rights) for verification procedures. + +================================================================================ +5. SUPPORT +================================================================================ + +This Commercial License includes basic support: + +- Email support: alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com +- Response time: 72 hours (business days) +- Bug fixes: Priority access to engine bug fixes +- Updates: All engine updates included at no additional cost +- Documentation: Access to all engine documentation + +Support does NOT include: +- Game-specific consulting or development +- Custom engine features (available separately) +- Guaranteed response time SLA +- Phone or video support + +For custom development or consulting, contact us separately. + +================================================================================ +6. ATTRIBUTION +================================================================================ + +All commercial projects using GroveEngine must include the following attribution: + +"Powered by GroveEngine" + +Attribution must appear in: +- Game credits screen (if present) +- Game documentation or README +- Or other reasonable location visible to end users + +Optional: You may use the GroveEngine logo (provided separately) in your credits. + +================================================================================ +7. RESTRICTIONS +================================================================================ + +You MAY NOT: + +- Redistribute GroveEngine source code or binaries +- Create a competing engine based on GroveEngine +- Sublicense GroveEngine to third parties +- Remove copyright notices from GroveEngine source files +- Use GroveEngine trademarks without permission +- Reverse engineer compiled GroveEngine binaries (source is provided) + +You MAY: + +- Modify GroveEngine for your own projects +- Create and sell unlimited games with GroveEngine +- Share compiled games with end users +- Use GroveEngine in both commercial and non-commercial projects + +================================================================================ +8. AUDIT RIGHTS +================================================================================ + +StillHammer reserves the right to audit your revenue reporting to ensure +compliance with this license. + +8.1 AUDIT PROCEDURE + +- 30 days written notice before audit +- Audit conducted by qualified third-party accountant +- Access to relevant financial records (only GroveEngine projects) +- Results kept confidential + +8.2 AUDIT COSTS + +- Normally borne by StillHammer +- If underreporting > 5%, licensee pays audit costs +- Owed royalties + penalties must be paid immediately + +8.3 FREQUENCY + +Audits will not occur more than once per calendar year except in cases of +suspected fraud. + +================================================================================ +9. TERMINATION +================================================================================ + +9.1 TERMINATION FOR BREACH + +This license terminates immediately if you: +- Fail to pay royalties within 90 days of due date +- Redistribute GroveEngine in violation of Section 7 +- Violate any material term of this license + +9.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION + +Upon termination: +- You must cease distribution of new copies of your games +- Existing distributed copies may continue to operate (end-user protection) +- You must pay all outstanding royalties +- You may not start new GroveEngine projects + +9.3 CURE PERIOD + +For payment-related breaches, you have 30 days to cure after written notice. +For other breaches, cure period is 14 days. + +================================================================================ +10. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER +================================================================================ + +GROVEENGINE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. + +TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, STILLHAMMER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, +EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: + +- Warranties of merchantability +- Fitness for a particular purpose +- Non-infringement +- Quiet enjoyment +- Quality or performance + +YOU ASSUME ALL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH USING GROVEENGINE. + +================================================================================ +11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY +================================================================================ + +IN NO EVENT SHALL STILLHAMMER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING: + +- Loss of profits or revenue +- Loss of data +- Business interruption +- Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages + +EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF: +- €1,000 +- Royalties paid by you in the previous 12 months + +Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability, so this may not +apply to you. + +================================================================================ +12. GENERAL PROVISIONS +================================================================================ + +12.1 GOVERNING LAW + +This license is governed by the laws of France, without regard to conflict +of law provisions. + +12.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT + +This license constitutes the entire agreement between you and StillHammer +regarding GroveEngine commercial use. + +12.3 AMENDMENTS + +StillHammer may update this license. Updates apply to new projects but do not +retroactively affect existing licensed projects (grandfather clause). + +12.4 SEVERABILITY + +If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in +full effect. + +12.5 NO WAIVER + +Failure to enforce any provision does not waive the right to enforce it later. + +================================================================================ +13. CONTACT & ACTIVATION +================================================================================ + +To obtain this Commercial License: + +1. Email: alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com + Subject: "GroveEngine Commercial License Request" + +2. Provide: + - Your name or company name + - Project description (optional) + - Expected launch date (optional) + +3. You will receive: + - License confirmation email + - Payment instructions (royalties only due after €100k revenue) + - Support contact details + +Questions about this license? Contact alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com + +================================================================================ +COMPARISON: GroveEngine vs. Other Engines +================================================================================ + +| Engine | Free Tier | Royalty Rate | Notes | +|---------------|----------------|--------------|--------------------------| +| GroveEngine | €0 - €100k | 1% > €100k | Best for EU indie devs | +| Unreal Engine | $0 - $1M USD | 5% > $1M USD | Higher %, higher tier | +| Unity | Subscription | No royalties | Monthly fees required | +| Godot | 100% Free | No royalties | MIT, but less support | + +GroveEngine offers the most favorable terms for independent developers earning +between €100k - €500k, with lower royalties than major engines. + +================================================================================ + +Thank you for choosing GroveEngine! + +Build amazing games. We'll handle the engine. + +StillHammer © 2025 diff --git a/LICENSE-GPL b/LICENSE-GPL new file mode 100644 index 0000000..327f884 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE-GPL @@ -0,0 +1,694 @@ +GroveEngine - Modular C++ Engine Architecture +Copyright (C) 2025 StillHammer + +This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify +it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by +the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or +(at your option) any later version. + +This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, +but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of +MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the +GNU General Public License for more details. + +You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License +along with this program. 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Interpretation of Sections 15 and 16. + + If the disclaimer of warranty and limitation of liability provided +above cannot be given local legal effect according to their terms, +reviewing courts shall apply local law that most closely approximates +an absolute waiver of all civil liability in connection with the +Program, unless a warranty or assumption of liability accompanies a +copy of the Program in return for a fee. + + END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS + + How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs + + If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest +possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it +free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms. + + To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest +to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively +state the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least +the "copyright" line and a pointer to where the full notice is found. + + + Copyright (C) + + This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify + it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by + the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or + (at your option) any later version. + + This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, + but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of + MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the + GNU General Public License for more details. + + You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License + along with this program. If not, see . + +Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail. + + If the program does terminal interaction, make it output a short +notice like this when it starts in an interactive mode: + + Copyright (C) + This program comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details type `show w'. + This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it + under certain conditions; type `show c' for details. + +The hypothetical commands `show w' and `show c' should show the appropriate +parts of the General Public License. Of course, your program's commands +might be different; for a GUI interface, you would use an "about box". + + You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or school, +if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the program, if necessary. +For more information on this, and how to apply and follow the GNU GPL, see +. + + The GNU General Public License does not permit incorporating your program +into proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you +may consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with +the library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Lesser General +Public License instead of this License. But first, please read +. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 0c927bf..c60dba6 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -189,7 +189,84 @@ Complex behavior emerges from the interaction of simple, well-defined modules. ## License -MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details +GroveEngine is **dual-licensed** - you choose the license that fits your project: + +### 📜 **GPL v3** (Open Source - Free) +Use GroveEngine in open-source projects under the [GNU GPL v3](LICENSE-GPL). +- ✅ **100% Free** - No costs, no royalties +- ✅ **Full engine access** - Modify and use freely +- ❗ **Your game must be GPL** - Source code must be published +- 👥 **Community support** + +### 💼 **Commercial License** (Proprietary - Royalty-Based) +Use GroveEngine in closed-source commercial games under the [Commercial License](LICENSE-COMMERCIAL). +- ✅ **FREE up to €100,000** revenue per project +- ✅ **1% royalty** on revenue above €100,000 +- ✅ **Keep your code private** - Proprietary games allowed +- ✅ **Email support** - 72h response time +- ✅ **Priority bug fixes** + +**🎮 Best for indie developers:** Most favorable royalty model in the industry! + +--- + +### 📊 License Comparison + +| Feature | GPL v3 (Free) | Commercial | +|------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------| +| **Cost** | Free | Free up to €100k revenue | +| **Royalties** | None | 1% above €100k | +| **Your game license** | Must be GPL (open) | Proprietary allowed | +| **Engine modifications** | Share modifications | Keep private | +| **Support** | Community | Email (72h) + priority | +| **Updates** | Yes | Yes + priority fixes | +| **Attribution** | Required | Required ("Powered by") | +| **Number of projects** | Unlimited | Unlimited | + +--- + +### ❓ FAQ - Which License Should I Choose? + +**Q: I'm making a commercial indie game. Which license?** +A: **Commercial License** - It's FREE until €100k, then only 1% royalties. Much better than Unreal (5% above $1M). + +**Q: I'm making an open-source game. Which license?** +A: **GPL v3** - Perfect for open-source projects, 100% free forever. + +**Q: How do I declare my revenue?** +A: Annual email with your project revenue. Simple and trust-based. Audits possible but rare. + +**Q: Can I modify the engine?** +A: **Yes!** Both licenses allow modifications. GPL requires sharing them, Commercial lets you keep them private. + +**Q: Is GroveEngine cheaper than Unreal Engine?** +A: **Yes!** We charge 1% above €100k vs Unreal's 5% above $1M USD. For a €500k game, you'd pay €4,000 with GroveEngine vs €0 with Unreal (under threshold). For a €1.5M game: €14,000 vs ~€25,000 with Unreal. + +**Q: What if my game makes €80,000?** +A: **€0 royalties!** You're within the free tier. No payment required. + +**Q: Is support included?** +A: GPL = community support. Commercial = email support (72h response) + priority bug fixes. + +**Q: How do I get the Commercial License?** +A: Email **alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com** with subject "GroveEngine Commercial License Request". No upfront payment - royalties only after €100k! + +--- + +### 🏆 Industry Comparison + +| Engine | Free Tier | Royalty | Notes | +|---------------|---------------|--------------|--------------------------------| +| **GroveEngine** | €0 - €100k | **1%** > €100k | Best for EU indie devs | +| Unreal Engine | $0 - $1M USD | 5% > $1M | Higher %, higher threshold | +| Unity | Subscription | None | Monthly fees (~€2k/year Pro) | +| Godot | 100% Free | None | MIT, but minimal official support | + +**GroveEngine = Best value for games earning €100k - €500k** 🎯 + +--- + +**📧 License Questions?** Contact **alexistrouve.pro@gmail.com** ## Contributing