Inquiry on Licensing Options for Developing a Video Editor Based on Kdenlive

[Paul Brown]

On Friday, 19 September 2025 16:48:15 Central European Summer Time qilin huo 
wrote:
> Dear all,
> 

Hello,

> I would like to explore the possibility of developing a video editing
> application based on Kdenlive. However, I do not intend to release my own
> code as open source,

You cannot do that. It would be a pursuable copyright infringement. 

> even though I am aware that Kdenlive is distributed
> under the GPLv3 license.

This is correct.

> Could you please advise me whether there are any possible solutions or
> licensing alternatives that would allow me to proceed with this plan?

There are not. Any application derived from Kdenlive and not distributed under 
the same GPL 3 or higher, along with its full source code, will be in 
violation of the license and will result in KDE bringing a lawsuit for 
copyright infringement against you.

> If a commercial license is available,

I think you mean "proprietary". Answering your question, Kdenlive is 
distributed under the GPL 3 only and there are no other licensing alternatives 
available.

Any attempt to re-license Kdenlive's code would result in legal actions on 
behalf of KDE against you.

> I would also like to know the approximate
> costs involved.

There are no plans to re-license Kdenlive at any price.

Kindest regards

Paul Brown
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