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Is GNU Lesser GPL v3.0 compatible with The Unlicense?

Yes — but the combined work must be released under the more restrictive license.

GNU Lesser GPL v3.0 is a file-level (or library-level) copyleft license. You can include GNU Lesser GPL v3.0 files in a The Unlicense project; the GNU Lesser GPL v3.0 files retain their copyleft obligation (changes must be released), while the project at large can stay The Unlicense. Keep file boundaries clear.

About these licenses

LicenseFamilyPatent grant
GNU Lesser GPL v3.0 (LGPL-3.0) weak-copyleft Yes
The Unlicense (Unlicense) permissive No (implicit at most)

GNU Lesser GPL v3.0: Same library-linking permission as LGPL-2.1, with GPLv3's patent provisions inherited.

The Unlicense: Public-domain dedication with a fallback license for jurisdictions that don't recognise PD.

What to do next

If you found this page because you're trying to figure out whether shipping a particular dependency is safe, the answer above is a starting point — not a substitute for reading the actual licenses or talking to a lawyer when stakes are high.

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