Terms & License
What you need to know.

OviOS is a comprehensive storage appliance built on open-source foundations with proprietary management tools. This page outlines what's included and how you can use it.

OviOS: A Storage Appliance OS

OviOS is an enterprise-grade storage appliance operating system designed to abstract away storage complexity and provide an intuitive management experience.

Architecture

OviOS is built on a foundation of proven open-source technologies, combined with proprietary OviOS management and automation tools:

  • Linux Kernel — Latest stable kernel with storage-specific optimizations (GPLv2)
  • OpenZFS — Advanced filesystem and logical volume manager (CDDL)
  • Pacman — Lightweight package manager (GPLv2)
  • Systemd — System and service manager (LGPLv2+)
  • GNU Utilities — Core system utilities (GPLv3)
  • ovios-shell — Interactive smart CLI for storage management (Proprietary)
  • retadm — Replication administration tool (Proprietary)
  • ovios-boot-check — Boot checking utility for autorestore (Proprietary)
  • ovios-web — Web-based management interface (Proprietary)

Open Source Components

The Linux kernel, ZFS, and all GNU utilities are provided under their respective open-source licenses (GPL, CDDL, etc.). The source code for these components is available from their upstream projects. OviOS does not modify the open-source license terms of these components.

Proprietary OviOS Components

The ovios-shell, retadm, OviOS Tools Suite, and ovios-web are proprietary software developed and maintained by the OviOS project. These tools are provided free of charge under the OviOS Free Use License detailed below.

OviOS Free Use License v1.0

Proprietary license for the OviOS management and tools suite.

OVIOS FREE USE LICENSE Version 1.0, April 2026

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION

1. DEFINITIONS

"OviOS Software" means the proprietary software components including but not limited to: ovios-shell, retadm, OviOS Tools Suite, ovios-web, and any other tools or utilities developed and maintained by the OviOS project, excluding open-source components governed by separate licenses.

"You" or "Your" means the individual, entity, or organization that uses OviOS Software.

"Use" or "Usage" means to execute, run, install, or operate OviOS Software, whether on a single machine or across multiple systems.

2. GRANT OF LICENSE

Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, OviOS grants You a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to:

a) Use OviOS Software in its unmodified form;

b) Use OviOS Software for personal, non-commercial, and commercial purposes;

c) Make reasonable copies of OviOS Software necessary for Your use;

d) Distribute OviOS Software only in its original, unmodified form as part of the complete OviOS distribution.

3. RESTRICTIONS

You may NOT:

a) Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works of OviOS Software;

b) Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble OviOS Software;

c) Remove or alter any proprietary notices, labels, or marks;

d) Distribute OviOS Software separately from the complete OviOS distribution;

e) Rent, lease, or lend OviOS Software;

f) Use OviOS Software to develop competing products;

g) Use OviOS Software in violation of any applicable law or regulation.

4. OPEN SOURCE COMPONENTS

OviOS Software includes open-source components (Linux kernel, OpenZFS, etc.) that are governed by their respective open-source licenses. These licenses are not restricted by this agreement. You may use, modify, and distribute these components in accordance with their respective licenses.

5. NO WARRANTY

OviOS Software is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

In no event shall OviOS be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to Your use of OviOS Software.

7. TERMINATION

This License is effective until terminated. Your rights are automatically terminated if You breach any term of this License. Upon termination, You must cease all use and destroy all copies of OviOS Software in Your possession.

8. GOVERNING LAW

This License is governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which OviOS is registered, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This License constitutes the entire agreement between You and OviOS regarding OviOS Software and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings.

10. MODIFICATIONS

OviOS reserves the right to modify this License at any time. Continued use of OviOS Software after modifications constitutes acceptance of the modified License.

How You Can Use OviOS

✓ Permitted Uses

  • ✓ Run OviOS in your homelab or personal environment
  • ✓ Deploy OviOS in your business for storage management
  • ✓ Use ovios-shell, retadm, and all OviOS tools
  • ✓ Integrate OviOS into your infrastructure
  • ✓ Distribute complete, unmodified OviOS installations
  • ✓ Submit bug reports and feature requests
  • ✓ Use and modify open-source components per their licenses

✗ Prohibited Uses

  • ✗ Modify or create derivatives of ovios-shell or other proprietary tools
  • ✗ Reverse engineer or decompile proprietary OviOS components
  • ✗ Remove licensing or copyright notices
  • ✗ Distribute ovios-shell or tools separately from OviOS
  • ✗ Use OviOS as a basis for a competing storage appliance
  • ✗ Rent or resell access to OviOS as a hosted service (without permission)

Questions about licensing?

Contact us for clarification on licensing terms or special use cases.

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