8 Total
2 High severity
4 Medium severity
2 Low severity
Summary

The DeepSeek Model License establishes the terms governing use of the DeepSeek-R1 model, permitting research and commercial deployment while imposing restrictions on model output use and redistribution. The license prohibits using model outputs to train competing foundation models. Commercial deployment by entities with more than 100 million monthly active users requires separate written authorization from DeepSeek.

Technical / Legal Breakdown

This document is the DeepSeek Model License governing use of the DeepSeek-R1 model weights and associated materials, published by DeepSeek under a permissive but conditional framework. The agreement states that use is permitted for research and commercial purposes subject to restrictions, including a prohibition on using the model outputs to train competing foundation models, and a requirement to include the DeepSeek Model License and copyright notices in all redistribution. The terms authorize commercial use for entities with fewer than 100 million monthly active users without prior written consent from DeepSeek, while entities exceeding that threshold must obtain a separate commercial license, creating a tiered access structure that is operationally distinct from standard open-source model licenses. The license engages considerations under intellectual property law, trade secret protections, and potentially export control frameworks depending on the jurisdiction of the deploying entity. Material compliance considerations include the anti-distillation clause (prohibiting use of model outputs to train competing models), the MAU-based commercial threshold, and the absence of explicit provisions addressing GDPR, CCPA, or sector-specific data regulations that deploying organizations would need to address independently.

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11 important changes detected

12 versions captured · Last updated: June 2026

What changed DeepSeek updated its DeepSeek-R1 model license on June 2, 2026 by adding clarifying language on GitHub describing the MIT License terms. The updated license now includes explicit statements that licensed works may be distributed under different terms without source code, and adds a summary of permissions (commercial use, modification, distribution, private use) and limitations (liability, warranty). The substantive MIT License text itself remains unchanged; the additions consist of explanatory metadata and GitHub-generated license summaries that clarify the scope of rights and restrictions already inherent in the MIT License.
Why this matters The updated license clarifies that derivatives of the DeepSeek-R1 model may be distributed under different licensing terms without including source code. This reflects standard MIT License practice and does not materially expand or restrict rights previously available under the MIT License. Users may continue to use, modify, and distribute the model under the same permissive terms the license established.
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June 2, 2026

unknown
What changed DeepSeek updated their DeepSeek Model License on June 02, 2026. Change detected: 1 sentence(s) modified. Document contained 3 sentences after update.
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May 29, 2026 unknown

DeepSeek updated their DeepSeek Model License on May 29, 2026. Change detected: 3 sentence(s) removed, 2 sentence(s) modified. Document contained 3 sentences after update.

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May 27, 2026 low

DeepSeek updated the LICENSE file for its DeepSeek-R1 model on May 27, 2026, adding explanatory language about the MIT License. The update inserted a summary stating that 'licensed works, modifications, …

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May 26, 2026 low

DeepSeek modified its DeepSeek-R1 model LICENSE file on May 26, 2026 by removing three sentences of supplementary guidance text. The removed text included a statement about licensing flexibility ('Licensed works, …

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May 25, 2026 low

DeepSeek updated its DeepSeek-R1 model license on May 25, 2026 to add clarifying language about the MIT License terms. The updated version now includes a summary statement that licensed works, …

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May 16, 2026 low

The detected change shows only a minor, non-substantive difference in the GitHub repository metadata: the pull request count increased from 14 to 15 in the file view interface. The core …

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May 15, 2026 low

DeepSeek updated the LICENSE file for its DeepSeek-R1 model on May 15, 2026. The change removed three sentences that previously appeared in the GitHub repository's LICENSE display: one sentence clarifying …

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May 14, 2026 low

DeepSeek updated the GitHub repository page for its DeepSeek-R1 model license on May 14, 2026 to add summary language describing the MIT License terms. The update added three new sentences …

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May 14, 2026 low

The detected change appears to be a metadata update in the GitHub repository interface (issue count changed from 17 to 16), not a substantive modification to the MIT License text …

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May 13, 2026 low

DeepSeek updated the DeepSeek-R1 repository LICENSE file on May 13, 2026, removing three sentences of supplementary text while retaining the core MIT License terms. The removed text included a statement …

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Recent Provision Changes Jun 2, 2026

Modified (1)
Acceptable Use Policy and Prohibited Conduct

Severity was elevated from medium to high, indicating stricter enforcement of acceptable use policies.

7 provisions unchanged.

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High — 2 provisions
Medium — 4 provisions
Low — 2 provisions

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Mapped Governance Frameworks

California AB 2013 AI Training Data Transparency
US-CA
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Archival ProvenanceSource & Archival Record
Last Captured June 2, 2026 20:44 UTC
Capture Method Automated scheduled archival capture
Document ID CA-D-000835
Version ID CA-V-003350
SHA-256 a5f9b8b6c41b7621c3958cea0da0c3f273b7ca85c824c5ea1bf9a9d035af8bef
✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Text extracted ✓ Change verified ✓ Hash verified

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