Can I use huggingface/transformers with commercial projects? What is its license and are there limitations?

You can use Hugging Face Transformers libraries in commercial projects, primarily due to the prevalent licenses associated with them, notably the Apache 2.0 and MIT licenses, which are permissive and allow for wide usage.

Key Models and Their Licensing

Here are some notable models implemented within the Transformers ecosystem that you might use, alongside their licensing information:

Summary of Licensing:

• Apache 2.0 License: This is one of the most business-friendly licenses. It allows you to use the software in commercial applications, modify the software, and distribute it while providing an express grant of patent rights from contributors.
• MIT License: Similar to Apache 2.0, the MIT License is extremely permissive, allowing for commercial use without many restrictions.
• Other License: For the model facebook/opt-125m, its license is labeled as "other," which requires further investigation to be certain about its commercial use implications.

Recommendation:

• Best Choice for Commercial Use: Opt for models under the Apache 2.0 or MIT licenses, like the Qwen/Qwen3-0.6B and openai-community/gpt2. They are safe for commercial applications without additional legal complexities.
• Proceed with Caution: The facebook/opt-125m model should be examined closely due to its ambiguous licensing—make sure to check the repository for any clarifications before using it commercially.

Always ensure that your usage complies with the specific licensing terms and consider consulting legal advice if uncertain.