Frequently Asked Questions

What is LUCA?

LUCA (Liberty Unrestricted for Creative Autonomy) is a permissive free software license that gives users maximum freedom. The core principle is simple: DO WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT TO.

Is LUCA a real license?

Yes! While informal in tone, LUCA is a legally constructed license with proper warranty disclaimers and severability clauses.

Is LUCA approved by OSI?

LUCA is newly created (February 2026) and has not yet been submitted to the Open Source Initiative for approval. However, it meets the spirit of the Open Source Definition by granting all essential freedoms.

How do you pronounce LUCA?

"LOO-kah" (like the name Lucas without the 's')

Can I use LUCA for commercial projects?

Absolutely yes. Commercial use is fully permitted with zero restrictions or obligations.

Do I need to include attribution?

No. While attribution is always appreciated and is good community practice, LUCA doesn't require it. You can use LUCA-licensed code without any attribution.

Can I modify LUCA-licensed code?

Yes. You can modify the code in any way you want. You can also distribute your modifications without any restrictions.

Do I need to share my modifications?

No. Unlike copyleft licenses (GPL), LUCA doesn't require you to share your modifications or release them under the same license.

Can I relicense LUCA-licensed code under a different license?

Yes. You can take LUCA-licensed code and release it (original or modified) under any license you choose, including proprietary licenses.

What about patents?

LUCA includes an implicit patent grant. Contributors cannot later sue you for patent infringement for using the code they released under LUCA.

Is there any warranty?

No. LUCA explicitly disclaims all warranties. The software is provided "as is" and you use it at your own risk.

Who is liable if something goes wrong?

No one. The license clearly states that the author disclaims all liability for damages, losses, or harm arising from use of the software.

What if part of LUCA is found unenforceable?

The severability clause ensures that if any part is unenforceable in your jurisdiction, the rest of the license still applies. The core principle remains: do what you want.

How do I apply LUCA to my project?

Three simple steps:

1. Copy the COPYING file to your project root
2. Update the copyright year and name
3. Add a badge to your README (optional)

See the Usage Guide for detailed instructions.

Can I use LUCA for documentation, not just code?

Yes. While designed for software, LUCA can be used for documentation, artwork, or any other creative work.

Should I include the license in every source file?

It's not required, but you can if you want. A simple header like this works:

Copyright (C) 2026 Your Name
Licensed under LUCA Free License v1.0

Can I use LUCA with other licenses in the same project?

Yes, but be careful. If you're combining code:

• ✅ LUCA is compatible with other permissive licenses (MIT, BSD, Apache)
• ⚠️ Be cautious with GPL (it has copyleft requirements)
• Always follow the most restrictive license when combining code

What if I want to require attribution?

Then LUCA isn't the right license for you. Consider MIT or Apache 2.0 instead.

How is LUCA different from MIT?

MIT requires attribution in all distributions. LUCA doesn't require anything except "do what you want."

How is LUCA different from GPL?

GPL is copyleft - it requires derivatives to also be GPL. LUCA has no such requirement. You can make your derivatives proprietary.

How is LUCA different from WTFPL?

LUCA includes more explicit legal protections (warranty disclaimers, severability) while maintaining WTFPL's spirit of maximum freedom.

How is LUCA different from Unlicense/Public Domain?

Public Domain means no copyright at all. LUCA maintains copyright but grants maximum permissions. In some jurisdictions, public domain dedications aren't legally valid, but licenses are.

Which is more permissive: LUCA or MIT?

LUCA is more permissive because it doesn't require attribution.

Should I use LUCA or MIT?

• Choose LUCA if you want maximum freedom and don't care about attribution
• Choose MIT if you want attribution or need a well-established license

Can I use LUCA for my npm package?

Yes. In your package.json:

{
  "license": "SEE LICENSE IN COPYING"
}

Can I use LUCA on GitHub?

Yes. GitHub will recognize the COPYING file, though it may not auto-detect it as a known license.

Will package repositories accept LUCA?

Most package repositories accept custom licenses as long as they're clearly documented. Some might require you to specify "Other" or "Custom" as the license type.

Why create another license?

Because sometimes existing licenses aren't quite right. We wanted something that's:

• As permissive as WTFPL
• More legally sound than WTFPL
• Simpler than MIT
• More freedom than MIT (no attribution requirement)

Isn't this just WTFPL with extra steps?

Sort of! LUCA is inspired by WTFPL but includes important legal protections and clearer structure while maintaining the same spirit.

Why the profanity?

The phrase "DO WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT TO" is clear, memorable, and has precedent in licenses like WTFPL. It perfectly captures the license's spirit. If this bothers you, there are many other excellent licenses available.

Isn't giving away all rights dangerous?

Not really. You're giving away rights to use the code, not rights to your name or trademark. And the warranty disclaimer protects you from liability.

What if someone uses my LUCA code for evil?

They can. That's the nature of true freedom. If you want to restrict use, you need a different license with ethical clauses (which may not be enforceable anyway).

Can I contribute to LUCA documentation?

Yes! The documentation is also LUCA-licensed. Contribute however you want.

Can I translate LUCA?

Yes! Translations are welcome. Just note that the English version is the official legal text.

Can I create a derivative license?

Yes! The license itself is LUCA-licensed. We just ask (but don't require) that you change the name if you significantly modify it.

Where can I get help?

• Open an issue on the GitHub repository
• Check the documentation website
• Ask in the community

Can I use the LUCA badges?

Yes! All badges and graphics are LUCA-licensed. Use them freely.