Dev
Mock License Header Generator
Without a license header, a source file's legal status is ambiguous — anyone reading it in isolation cannot tell how it may be used. Adding a short comment block at the top of each file stating the copyright and license terms makes the intent clear wherever the file ends up. This tool generates that comment block for one of four license choices. Choose "MIT" for the permissive MIT license header with a copyright line. Choose "Apache-2.0" for the Apache License 2.0 header with the standard notice and a link to the full license text. Choose "GPL-3.0" for the GNU General Public License v3 notice reminding readers the program is free software under the GPL's terms. Choose "proprietary" for a restrictive all-rights-reserved header stating that copying and distribution are prohibited. Copy the output and replace 'Your Company' with your actual copyright holder name. These are illustrative templates following conventional wording — they are not the complete license text. For anything legally significant, use the official SPDX identifiers and the full license text from the official sources, and consider legal advice for commercial or copyleft licensing decisions.
How to use
- Choose your options above
- Click Generate
- Copy your result
Detailed instructions
- Choose a license.
- Click Generate to produce a header.
- Fill in the year and copyright holder.
- Use the official license text for legal needs.
Use Cases
- •Adding a license header to a file
- •Standardising headers in a codebase
- •Documenting project licensing
- •Open-sourcing a project
- •Learning license header formats
Tips
- →Headers reinforce your LICENSE file.
- →Fill in the year and holder.
- →Use official text for legal matters.
- →The license affects how code is reused.
FAQ
what does each license option generate
"MIT" produces a short copyright and permission notice. "Apache-2.0" produces the standard Apache 2.0 notice with a link to http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0. "GPL-3.0" produces the FSF's recommended boilerplate notice referencing the GPL v3 terms. "proprietary" produces an all-rights-reserved notice prohibiting copying and distribution.
do i still need a license file if i add headers to every source file
Yes. The header reinforces the license by stating terms at the file level, but a LICENSE file at the repository root is the canonical place courts and tools look for the full license text. Both are best practice: the LICENSE file holds the complete text, and headers ensure a reader of any individual file sees the copyright and license type.
what is the difference between mit, apache, and gpl
MIT is maximally permissive — use, copy, modify, distribute with almost no conditions beyond preserving the copyright notice. Apache 2.0 is similarly permissive but explicitly grants patent rights and requires a NOTICE file for attribution. GPL 3.0 is copyleft — derivative works must also be distributed under the GPL, keeping the code open. Proprietary reserves all rights.
are these the official license texts
No. They are illustrative header templates following conventional wording, intended for learning and scaffolding. For legally enforceable use, obtain the official text from the SPDX license list or the originating organisation (OSI, FSF, Apache). For commercial or copyleft licensing decisions, consult a lawyer.
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