The Only GitHub License Guide You’ll Ever Need | You’ve Been Publishing Code Without a License.
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This practical reference guide addresses open-source legal hygiene for software developers publishing code on GitHub. It clarifies a widespread misconception: simply making a code repository public on GitHub does not grant others legal permission to use, modify, or distribute it without an explicit open-source license. The article outlines how to evaluate and select the right license for a project in minutes, ensuring clear terms for downstream users and contributors. For developers growing their open-source craft and building public libraries, understanding licensing fundamentals is essential for establishing software provenance, protecting intellectual property, and encouraging safe community adoption.