DeepSeek Model License

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.