Maintainer: @VolkanSah & @BadTin and some Cats
The ESOL v1.1 is a high-integrity usage license designed to layer on top of any standard software license (MIT, Apache, GPL) to enforce ethical boundaries in cybersecurity operations. While the base license governs copying and modification of code, the ESOL v1.1 governs the legal and ethical execution of the Work.
⚠️ Zero-Tolerance Addendum
The ESOL Zero-Tolerance Addendum is a non-severable extension of ESOL v1.1.
It defines specific prohibited activities — including AI-Scam Operations, Telegram-Lifestyle Fraud, Technical Malpractice, and Psychological Exploitation — backed by explicit German criminal law references:
- § 202a/b/c StGB — Ausspähen & Abfangen von Daten (up to 3 years)
- § 263/263a StGB — Betrug & Computerbetrug (up to 10 years)
- § 303a/b StGB — Datenveränderung & Computersabotage (up to 10 years)
- § 253 StGB — Erpressung (up to 10 years)
- DSGVO Art. 83 — Fines up to €20,000,000
How to Apply ESOL to Your Project
Add the following to your LICENSE file or README.md, and put a ESOL file with the License Text to your root folder:
This Work is dual-licensed under the [INSERT BASE LICENSE, e.g., MIT] and the
Ethical Security Operations License (ESOL v1.1).
The ESOL is a mandatory, non-severable condition of use.
By using this software, you agree to all ethical constraints defined in the ESOL v1.1.
Compatibility Matrix
| Base License | Compatible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical usage restrictions |
| Apache 2.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL complements patent/usage clauses |
| BSD 2-Clause | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds usage restrictions |
| BSD 3-Clause | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds usage restrictions |
| BSD 4-Clause | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds usage restrictions |
| ISC | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds usage restrictions |
| GNU GPLv2 | ✅ Yes* | ESOL acts as a "Nutzungsvorbehalt" |
| GNU GPLv3 | ✅ Yes* | ESOL acts as a "Nutzungsvorbehalt" |
| GNU AGPLv3 | ✅ Yes* | ESOL complements network use clauses |
| GNU LGPLv2.1 | ✅ Yes* | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| GNU LGPLv3 | ✅ Yes* | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| GNU FDL | ✅ Yes* | ESOL adds security use constraints |
| EUPL v1.1 | ✅ Yes | ESOL aligns with EU legal framework |
| EUPL v1.2 | ✅ Yes | ESOL aligns with EU legal framework |
| MPL 2.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| CDDL 1.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| EPL 1.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| EPL 2.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| EUPL | ✅ Yes | ESOL aligns with EU legal framework |
| OSL 3.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| CPAL 1.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| Artistic 2.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| Zlib | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| PSF 2.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| AFL 3.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| MS-PL | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| MS-RL | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| LPPL 1.3c | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| OFL 1.1 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| Vim License | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| Fair | ✅ Yes | ESOL reinforces fair use constraints |
| CC0 1.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL reintroduces mandatory ethical limits |
| CC BY 4.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds security use constraints |
| CC BY-SA 4.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds security use constraints |
| CC BY-NC 4.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL reinforces non-commercial restrictions |
| CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL reinforces non-commercial restrictions |
| CC BY-ND 4.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL adds ethical use constraints |
| CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ✅ Yes | ESOL reinforces non-commercial restrictions |
| The Unlicense | ✅ Yes | ESOL reintroduces mandatory ethical limits |
| WTFPL | ✅ Yes | ESOL overrides permissiveness with ethics |
| Public Domain | ✅ Yes | ESOL reintroduces mandatory ethical limits |
| No License | ✅ Yes | ESOL provides ethical baseline; copyright law still applies |
| Proprietary | ✅ Yes | ESOL provides additional ethical baseline |
Under strict OSI definitions, usage restrictions may move a project from "Free Software" to "Source Available / Ethical Software".
Maintained for the security community by @VolkanSah Checked & Validated: 07.02.2026 | Wall of Shames