Aestra

⚖️ Aestra License Reference

Comprehensive reference for Aestra licensing, including the source-available license terms and contributor agreements.

📋 Table of Contents

Overview
Proprietary License
ASSAL License Details
Contributor License Agreement
Commercial Licensing
License FAQ

🌟 Overview

Aestra uses a hybrid licensing model:

Aestra Core (Free Forever)

Aestra Core (this repository) uses the Aestra Studios Source-Available License (ASSAL) v1.1
✅ Free to use forever - No paid license required for the core DAW
👁️ Source-available - Code is publicly visible for transparency and education
🎵 Full DAW functionality - Complete digital audio workstation without restrictions

Premium Add-ons (Paid)

Muse AI - AI-powered music generation and production assistance (future)
Premium Plugins - Advanced effects and instruments (future)
💰 Paid licenses - Available separately when released

Key Points:

🆓 Aestra Core is free forever under ASSAL
❌ Source code is NOT open-source (cannot be used in other projects)
✅ Contributions are welcomed and credited
🤖 Premium features (Muse AI, plugins) will require paid licenses
📜 Full license text available in LICENSE

🔒 Hybrid Licensing Model

Aestra Core License (Free Forever)

Aestra Core is source-available software developed by Dylan Makori in Kenya, licensed under ASSAL v1.1.

What You Can Do with Aestra Core (No License Required)

Free usage rights:

✅ Use for free forever - Personal and commercial music production
✅ View and study the source code for educational purposes
✅ Report bugs and security vulnerabilities
✅ Suggest features and improvements
✅ Submit pull requests (subject to CLA)
✅ Release music created with Aestra Core
✅ Client work and commercial projects
✅ Live performances with Aestra Core

Premium Add-ons (Require Paid License)

Muse AI & Premium Plugins (future releases):

🤖 Muse AI - AI-powered pattern generation, mixing assistance, chord suggestions
🎛️ Premium Plugins - Advanced effects, instruments, and processing
💰 Paid licenses required when available
🚀 Enhanced features beyond core DAW functionality

Restrictions (What You Cannot Do)

You may NOT:

❌ Copy, modify, or redistribute the source code
❌ Create derivative works or competing products
❌ Use code in other projects without written consent
❌ Fork or distribute modified versions
❌ Remove or modify copyright notices
❌ Reverse engineer the software
❌ Sublicense to others

Note: Aestra Core is free to use, but the code itself remains proprietary and cannot be reused elsewhere.

Enforcement

Unauthorized use, copying, or distribution of Aestra will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law under:

Copyright laws of the Republic of Kenya
International copyright treaties
DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)

📜 Aestra Studios Source-Available License (ASSAL)

Full License Details

License Name: Aestra Studios Source-Available License (ASSAL)
Version: 1.1
Date: March 2026
Copyright: © 2026 Dylan Makori

Key Terms

Permitted Actions:

✅ View and study the source code for educational purposes
✅ Report bugs and security issues
✅ Suggest features and improvements
✅ Submit pull requests (contributors grant all rights to Aestra Studios)

Restrictions:

❌ Remove or alter any proprietary notices, labels, or marks
❌ Create derivative works or competing products based on this code
❌ Use any part of this codebase in your own projects without written consent
❌ Distribute or sublicense the software

Ownership: All title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software, including all source code, documentation, designs, and associated materials, remain the exclusive property of Dylan Makori and Aestra Studios.

For the complete legal text, see: LICENSE

Third-Party Dependencies

Aestra may use third-party libraries under their respective licenses:

Windows SDK - Microsoft Software License Terms OpenGL - Open standard (implementations may vary) CMake - BSD 3-Clause License

All third-party licenses are compatible with Aestra’s proprietary model.

🤝 Contributor License Agreement

By Contributing to Aestra

By submitting a pull request, issue, or any contribution to Aestra, you agree to the following:

Grant of Rights:

You grant Dylan Makori / Aestra a perpetual, worldwide, exclusive license to your contributions
All contributed code becomes property of Dylan Makori / Aestra
Dylan Makori has full rights to use, modify, distribute, and sublicense your contributions
You waive all ownership claims to your contributions
You cannot revoke this license

Your Warranties:

You have the right to make the contribution
Your contribution does not violate any third-party rights
Your contribution is your original work
You have not previously assigned rights to the contribution

Why This Matters:

Aestra is commercial software and needs clear ownership
We must be able to license and sell the product
Contributors are credited but don’t retain ownership
This allows us to build a sustainable business

Recognition

While you grant full rights, we value contributions:

🏆 Contributors listed on GitHub
📝 Mentioned in release notes
⭐ Featured in documentation for significant contributions
🎖️ Hall of Fame for major contributors

💰 Premium Add-on Licensing (Future)

What’s Free vs. Paid

Aestra Core (FREE Forever):

✅ Complete DAW application
✅ Multi-track audio editing
✅ MIDI sequencing
✅ Mixing and effects
✅ Plugin hosting (VST3, AU)
✅ Project save/load
✅ All core features
✅ Regular updates
✅ Community support
💲 Cost: FREE

Premium Add-ons (PAID - Future Releases):

🤖 Muse AI Suite - AI-powered music generation, mixing assistance, pattern generation
🎛️ Premium Plugins Pack - Advanced effects, instruments, and processors
📚 Premium Content Library - Professional samples, presets, templates
🎓 Priority Support - Direct access to development team
💲 Cost: Paid licenses (pricing TBD)

Premium License Tiers (Planned for Muse AI & Plugins)

Muse AI Personal - Individual producers

✅ Muse AI pattern generation
✅ Mix assistant
✅ Chord suggestions
✅ Personal use only
💲 Pricing: TBD

Muse AI Professional - Professional studios

✅ All Personal features
✅ Advanced AI models
✅ Priority support
✅ Commercial use
✅ Premium plugin access
💲 Pricing: TBD

Muse AI Enterprise - Large organizations

✅ All Professional features
✅ Multiple seats
✅ Custom AI training
✅ Dedicated support
✅ API access
💲 Pricing: Contact sales

Educational - Students and schools

✅ Access to Muse AI and plugins
✅ Significant discounts (50-70% off)
✅ Educational resources
💲 Pricing: Discounted

License Activation (Premium Add-ons Only)

When Muse AI and plugins are released:

Online activation system
Offline activation option
License transfer capability
Multi-machine support (per tier)

Note: Aestra Core requires no activation or license key.

❓ License FAQ

Q: Is Aestra open-source?

A: No. Aestra uses a source-available license (ASSAL). The code is publicly visible for transparency and education, but it is NOT open-source and cannot be reused in other projects.

Q: Can I use Aestra Core for free?

A: Yes! Aestra Core is free forever. You can use it for personal projects, commercial music production, and client work without paying anything. Only premium add-ons (Muse AI, premium plugins) will require paid licenses in the future.

Q: What’s the difference between free and paid?

Free (Aestra Core): Complete DAW with all essential features - audio/MIDI editing, mixing, effects, plugin hosting
Paid (Future): Premium add-ons like Muse AI (AI music generation), premium plugins, and advanced content libraries

Q: Can I contribute to Aestra?

A: Yes! We welcome contributions. By contributing, you agree that your contributions become property of Aestra (see CLA above).

Q: What happens to my music?

A: You own 100% of the music you create with Aestra. Both free and paid versions grant you full commercial rights to produce, distribute, and sell your music.

Q: Can I use Aestra Core for client work?

A: Yes! Aestra Core is free for all uses including commercial client work, studio production, and live performances.

Q: Will Aestra Core always be free?

A: Yes. Aestra Core will remain free forever. The business model is based on optional premium add-ons (Muse AI, plugins), not the core DAW.

Q: Are there educational discounts?

A: Aestra Core is already free. Educational discounts (50-70% off) will apply to premium add-ons like Muse AI when they’re released.

Q: What about updates?

A: Aestra Core receives free updates forever. Premium add-ons will have their own update policies announced at release.

Q: Is there a subscription model?

A: Licensing model (perpetual vs. subscription) will be announced upon release.

Q: Can I modify the source code?

A: No. The source code is proprietary. You can view it for educational purposes and submit improvements via pull requests.

📧 Licensing Inquiries

For licensing questions or enterprise sales:

📧 Email: makoridylan@gmail.com
🌐 Website: Coming Soon
💼 Enterprise: Contact for volume licensing

For contribution questions:

💬 GitHub Issues: Technical questions
📖 Contributing Guide: CONTRIBUTING.md

🌍 Jurisdiction

Legal jurisdiction:

Primary: Republic of Kenya
International: Subject to international copyright treaties

Governing law:

Copyright Act of Kenya
International copyright conventions
TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)

📚 Additional Resources

Full License Text - Complete ASSAL license terms
Licensing Details - Original licensing document
Contributing Guide - How to contribute
FAQ - General questions

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer

This document provides a summary and reference for Aestra licensing. The complete legal terms are in the LICENSE and LICENSING.md files. In case of conflict, the official license documents take precedence.

Not legal advice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal questions.

Aestra - Built by musicians, for musicians. Crafted with intention.

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