FSF: You can't weaponize the (A)GPL to take freedom away
What happened
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has pushed back on what it says are attempts to add restrictions to the GNU Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3) that would confuse — and effectively reduce — user freedoms. It has been reported that OnlyOffice’s repositories claim AGPLv3 in README files while placing extra terms in LICENSE files and file-level notices; one example allegedly requires distributors to "retain the original Product logo," a term not found in the AGPLv3. The FSF argues this is a “further restriction” and therefore incompatible with the license as intended.
Why it matters
Licenses aren't trivia. They define what users can run, copy, study, change and share. The FSF is the steward of the GNU licenses and says protecting their integrity is essential to protecting software freedom. Who gets to decide what freedom means? If downstream users can be told one thing in a README and a different thing in a LICENSE file, confusion grows and freedoms shrink. That’s the emotional heart of the dispute: the fight isn't just about logos or clauses, but about trust in a legal framework many projects and companies rely on.
What the FSF recommends
The AGPLv3 explicitly allows recipients to remove additional terms that are "further restrictions." The FSF urges projects to follow the license drafting process and published guidance, and offers private help to align licensing with the intended semantics of the AGPLv3. If you’re distributing software under GNU licenses, read the FSF’s materials and, if in doubt, email licensing@fsf.org — better to clear things up before a small tweak becomes a big problem.
The bigger picture
This episode spotlights a broader trend: downstream commercial and open-source interests are testing the boundaries of copyleft in a cloud- and service-first world. The FSF’s clarification is a reminder that legal formalisms matter. Consider it a referee’s whistle: play by the rulebook, or the crowd will question the score.
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