user4976: Not sure if I am correct posting my question here and I will of course delete this question if appropriate.
I have a C# desktop app using FFmpeg.
I have a web service using FFmpeg.
I sell both products.
I want to know — can I distribute my desktop app with FFmpeg without paying a fee to FFmpeg people and without releasing my source code?
I also want to know whether I can use FFmpeg on my server for users to convert images to a video file to be emailed them.  This service is also a payable product.
I have read the links to the FFmpeg licensing info and I read many questions here on these boards.
The closet I have got to an answer is that I can use it on my web server because I am not distributing it to client PCs and I can use FFmpeg on my desktop app if I only use certain features of FFmpeg — whatever they are.
However, this is not definitive enough for me and I cannot afford a lawyer and you would think this question/dilemma would have been resolved somewhere by someone considered how popular FFmpeg is.
Thanks.

user1760: Yes, you can use FFmpeg in a commercial product

FFmpeg is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1 or later.

It is also available under the General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later.

Some features, external libraries (libx264 and libx265 for example), and various filters, require GPL. If those parts get used the GPL applies to all of FFmpeg.
See LICENSE.md in the source for a list of GPL parts of FFmpeg and which external libraries require GPL.


The (L)GPL, and therefore FFmpeg, does not restrict commercial usage. You only need to properly comply with the license.

FFmpeg is not available under any other licensing terms. There is no commercial license available (but see the x264 & x265 commercial license info below). FFmpeg does not accept or charge any fees.


…but the (L)GPL is copyleft
If you include FFmpeg in your software, under the General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later, you may be required to make available the source code of your software to anyone requesting it.
Make sure your software license is compatible with the (L)GPL. This is an important and often confusing aspect of the (L)GPL. I can only suggest that you carefully read the license, the FAQ, and contact a lawyer or your legal department if you need counsel.
What if I am only using FFmpeg but not distributing it?
You do not have to do anything if you are not distributing anything from FFmpeg.
What about the x264 & x265 commercial licenses?
x264 and x265 are available under the GPL for free or a commercial license that you have to pay for. The commercial licenses are LGPL compatible. FFmpeg does not have an option that disables the GPL requirement for these commercial licenses so you have to do that manually. Therefore, if you purchase a commercial license from x264 licensing or x265 licensing then you are permitted to:

Compile x264/x265 with --disable-gpl.
Modify the configure file in the FFmpeg source code to move libx264/libx265 from EXTERNAL_LIBRARY_GPL_LIST to EXTERNAL_LIBRARY_LIST.
Compile ffmpeg without --enable-gpl and link to your x264/x265 that has been compiled with --disable-gpl.

Don't forget to document and provide these changes with the FFmpeg source code that you are making available.
Do I need a commercial license from x264/x265?
You do if your application is not GPL compatible and is being distributed with linked x264/x265. See [x264-devel] Announcing commercial licensing for x264 for additional details specific to x264.
Also see

FFmpeg License and Legal Considerations
GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1
GNU General Public License, version 2
Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU Licenses


4976: <p>Not sure if I am correct posting my question here and I will of course delete this question if appropriate.</p>

<p>I have a C# desktop app using FFmpeg.<br>
I have a web service using FFmpeg.</p>

<p>I sell both products.</p>

<p>I want to know — can I distribute my desktop app with FFmpeg without paying a fee to FFmpeg people and without releasing my source code?</p>

<p>I also want to know whether I can use FFmpeg on my server for users to convert images to a video file to be emailed them.  This service is also a payable product.</p>

<p>I have read the links to the FFmpeg licensing info and I read many questions here on these boards.</p>

<p>The closet I have got to an answer is that I can use it on my web server because I am not distributing it to client PCs and I can use FFmpeg on my desktop app if I only use certain features of FFmpeg — whatever they are.</p>

<p>However, this is not definitive enough for me and I cannot afford a lawyer and you would think this question/dilemma would have been resolved somewhere by someone considered how popular FFmpeg is.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>
 1760: <h1>Yes, you can use FFmpeg in a commercial product</h1>
<ul>
<li><p>FFmpeg is licensed under the <strong>GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1 or later</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li><p>It is also available under the <strong>General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li>Some features, external libraries (libx264 and libx265 for example), and various filters, require GPL. If those parts get used the GPL applies to <strong>all</strong> of FFmpeg.</li>
<li>See <code>LICENSE.md</code> in the source for a list of GPL parts of FFmpeg and which external libraries require GPL.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><p>The (L)GPL, and therefore FFmpeg, does not restrict commercial usage. You only need to properly comply with the license.</p>
</li>
<li><p>FFmpeg is not available under any other licensing terms. There is no commercial license available (but see the x264 &amp; x265 commercial license info below). FFmpeg does not accept or charge any fees.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h1>…but the (L)GPL is copyleft</h1>
<p>If you include FFmpeg in your software, under the General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later, <strong>you may be required to make available the source code of your software to anyone requesting it</strong>.</p>
<p>Make sure your software license is compatible with the (L)GPL. This is an important and often confusing aspect of the (L)GPL. I can only suggest that you carefully read the license, the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FAQ</a>, and contact a lawyer or your legal department if you need counsel.</p>
<h1>What if I am only using FFmpeg but not distributing it?</h1>
<p>You do not have to do anything if you are not distributing anything from FFmpeg.</p>
<h1>What about the x264 &amp; x265 commercial licenses?</h1>
<p>x264 and x265 are available under the GPL for free or a commercial license that you have to pay for. The commercial licenses are LGPL compatible. FFmpeg does not have an option that disables the GPL requirement for these commercial licenses so you have to do that manually. Therefore, if you purchase a commercial license from <a href="https://licensing.x264.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">x264 licensing</a> or <a href="https://x265.com/about/license-x265-and-uhdcode-for-your-product-or-service/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">x265 licensing</a> then you are permitted to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Compile x264/x265 with <code>--disable-gpl</code>.</li>
<li>Modify the <code>configure</code> file in the FFmpeg source code to move libx264/libx265 from <code>EXTERNAL_LIBRARY_GPL_LIST</code> to <code>EXTERNAL_LIBRARY_LIST</code>.</li>
<li>Compile ffmpeg <strong>without</strong> <code>--enable-gpl</code> and link to your x264/x265 that has been compiled <strong>with</strong> <code>--disable-gpl</code>.</li>
</ul>
<p>Don't forget to document and provide these changes with the FFmpeg source code that you are making available.</p>
<h2>Do I need a commercial license from x264/x265?</h2>
<p>You do if your application is not GPL compatible and is being distributed with linked x264/x265. See <a href="https://mailman.videolan.org/pipermail/x264-devel/2010-July/007508.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">[x264-devel] Announcing commercial licensing for x264</a> for additional details specific to x264.</p>
<h1>Also see</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ffmpeg.org/legal.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FFmpeg License and Legal Considerations</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/lgpl-2.1.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">GNU General Public License, version 2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU Licenses</a></li>
</ul>
