Most ARToolworks' software is available under two license models:
1/ Free GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2)
2/ Paid Commercial License
The open source GPL license versions of our software are available for free. However the GPL license requires that developers provide the complete source of their applications for free to anyone who asks for it. This allows users of the tool kits with limited feature or support needs, and developers of GPLv2-licensed software, to become familiar with AR software development.
The commercial license is for developers who do not want to release the source code of the applications they develop. Some of the commercial versions of our software also have additional features and performance enhancements over the GPL versions of the software.
We believe this model offers the best of both worlds: Persons developing software under an open source model are freely availed of the standard edition's source code, and the open source project benefits in return, from enhancements, bug reports, and external development ideas. On the other hand, those who develop under a proprietary source model, from whom the code base does not benefit through reciprocal openness, contribute financially instead. License fees fund research and development of tomorrow's versions of the products through research activities at partner institutions.
ARToolWorks INC