The information on this page is copied from the LICENSE file that is included in the sane-backends distribution. It's only changed to use HTML and some links were added.

This files attempts to clarify the licensing situation for the SANE distribution. In case of doubt, the copyright information contained in each file overrides what is said here.

SANE consists of three parts each of which has its own licensing terms:

The frontend programs.

These programs are generally protected by the GNU General Public License. (See file COPYING.)

The backend libraries.

Most backend libraries are protected by the GNU General Public License (see file COPYING), but as an exception, it is permissible to link against such a library without affecting the licensing status of the program that uses the libraries. For details, see the copyright notice at the head of the backend files (e.g., backend/dll.c).
Note that not all of the backends apply the exception and that some have additional licensing constraints. E.g., the DC210 backend uses JPG code that is licensed as described in README.djpeg.

The SANE API and network protocol as put forth in the standard document.

The standard is considered to be in the public domain. Anyone is free to implement SANE interface conforming applications or libraries in any way he or she sees fit.

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