> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.internetobject.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.internetobject.org/appendices/license.md).

# License

The **Internet Object Specification** — the documentation text in this repository — is licensed under the **Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-ND 4.0)**.

© 2020–2026 Mohamed Aamir Maniar / ManiarTech®. **Internet Object™** is a trademark of ManiarTech®. The official specification is published at [internetobject.org](https://internetobject.org).

## What this means

You are free to **share** the specification — copy and redistribute it in any medium or format, for any purpose, including commercially — under the following terms:

* **Attribution.** You must give appropriate credit, link to the license, and indicate the official version. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the author endorses you or your use.
* **No derivatives.** If you remix, transform, or build upon the specification, you may **not** distribute the modified material. The canonical text is maintained solely by the author so the format stays consistent across every implementation.

There are **no additional restrictions** beyond these — you may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

## Preferred attribution

When crediting the specification, use:

> "Internet Object Specification" by Mohamed Aamir Maniar (ManiarTech®), licensed under [CC BY-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/). Official version: <https://internetobject.org>.

## Implementations are not derivatives

Building software that implements the format described here — a parser, validator, serializer, or any other tool — **does not create a derivative work of the specification** and is **not** restricted by CC BY-ND. The license covers the specification *text*, not the *format* it describes.

The reference implementations and libraries are licensed separately under the **Apache License 2.0**.

## Examples are public domain

All example code and Internet Object snippets embedded in the specification are dedicated to the public domain under [**CC0 1.0**](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). You may copy them into your own work freely, without restriction or attribution.

## Translations

A **translation is a derivative work** (an adaptation) of the original English specification. Because the specification is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0, derivative works are not permitted by the license itself; the permission below is a **separate, limited grant** by the author.

Faithful translations are permitted, provided they:

* are clearly marked as **unofficial**;
* reproduce the specification faithfully, without adding to, removing from, or altering its meaning;
* prominently link to the official English version above and identify it as **authoritative**; and
* are not presented as the specification itself.

The **original English text is the sole authoritative and normative version.** In case of any discrepancy or conflict between a translation and the English original, the **English version governs**; translations are provided for convenience only and carry no normative force. The author reserves the right to designate official translations and to withdraw this permission for any translation that misrepresents the specification.

## Full text

The complete legal text is in the [`LICENSE`](https://github.com/maniartech/InternetObject-specs/blob/main/LICENSE) file at the root of the repository, and the canonical license is available from Creative Commons at [creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/).

## Summary

| Material                      | License      | You may                                        |
| ----------------------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Specification text            | CC BY-ND 4.0 | Share with attribution; no modified copies     |
| Example snippets              | CC0 1.0      | Reuse freely, no attribution required          |
| Implementations and libraries | Apache-2.0   | Use, modify, and distribute under Apache terms |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.internetobject.org/appendices/license.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.