[Open Source Licensing]: PHP License Dies, Replaced by BSD 3-Clause

Fri, 08 May 2026 15:24:54 +0000

A New Dawn for PHP Licensing: Embracing Broader Freedoms

For years, the PHP ecosystem has operated under a unique licensing umbrella, a combination of the custom PHP License v3.01 and the Zend Engine License v2.0. While these licenses served their purpose, they carried with them a degree of complexity and, critically, a significant hurdle: incompatibility with the widely adopted GNU General Public License (GPL). This changed with the advent of PHP 9.0, ushering in a new era defined by the ubiquitous BSD 3-Clause license. This isn’t just a minor update; it’s a fundamental shift that removes legacy baggage, enhances interoperability, and positions PHP for a more integrated and permissive future within the broader open-source landscape.

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[Open Source Licensing]: PHP License Dies, Replaced by BSD 3-Clause

A New Dawn for PHP Licensing: Embracing Broader Freedoms