---
title: "PHP retires its custom license in favor of BSD three-clause"
url: https://daily.dev/posts/php-retires-its-custom-license-in-favor-of-bsd-three-clause-u8gnsjq2t
source_url: https://daily.dev/posts/php-retires-its-custom-license-in-favor-of-bsd-three-clause-u8gnsjq2t
type: collection
source: "Collections"
published: 2026-05-07T18:56:25.426Z
updated: 2026-05-07T18:57:00.665Z
tags: ["php"]
reading_time: 2
upvotes: 32
comments: 0
language: en
---

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# PHP retires its custom license in favor of BSD three-clause

**[Collections](https://daily.dev/sources/collections)** · 2 min read · 32 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

The PHP project has officially retired its custom PHP License and relicensed its codebase under the three-clause BSD license. The old PHP License 3.01 and Zend Engine License 2.0 were problematic: neither was OSI-approved, both were GPL-incompatible, and they caused recurring headaches for Linux distribution packagers. Ben Ramsey led the effort starting July 2025, tracking down original PHP Group members for written consent and securing sign-off from Perforce Software (owner of Zend Engine rights). The RFC also proposes removing build-time linking options for GPLv3 libraries (GNU Readline and GDBM) to further simplify packaging. The vote passed 47–0 with 2 abstentions.

## Content

After years of confusion, the PHP project has officially retired the PHP License and relicensed its code under the three-clause BSD license.

The old setup had two licenses in play: PHP License v3.01 (for the core) and Zend Engine License v2.0. Both caused headaches. The PHP Group was never a formal legal entity, the PHP License 3.01 was never approved by the OSI, and neither license was compatible with the GPL. Packaging PHP for Linux distributions was a recurring pain point.

Ben Ramsey led the relicensing effort, which started in July 2025. The process was more involved than just swapping a file header. Ramsey tracked down original PHP Group members to get written consent, secured sign-off from Perforce Software (which acquired Zend Technologies and owns the Zend Engine rights), and had the whole thing reviewed by an attorney. A six-month community discussion period followed before the project moved to a formal vote.

On the question of individual contributors: Ramsey's position is that they don't need to consent, since the new license doesn't reduce any rights they previously granted. The BSD three-clause is more permissive, not less.

The RFC also proposes removing build-time linking options for GPLv3 libraries, specifically GNU Readline and GDBM. Dropping those options simplifies packaging and removes one more source of license ambiguity.

The vote closed with 47 in favor and 2 abstentions. The change is now done.

---

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