Ask HN: Can I keep using the MIT-licensed version of Handontable for my SaaS?

2 points

6 years ago

In 2017, I made a very niche data-analysis side project with an excel-like UI powered by Handsontable (https://github.com/handsontable/handsontable) which was MIT licensed at the time. A friend in consulting suggested I turn it into a subscription business and I made a modest income from in starting later that year. I had issues with mental health, so I took a lot of time away from tech, and had the friend answer support emails for about a year. During this time, revenue grew modestly but I no longer actively maintained or marketed it.

I recently returned to work / computer related activity and found out that Handontable went from an MIT license to one that requires payment for SAAS use. There's actually a HN thread here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19488642 .

AFAIK, I haven't even run npm update since early 2019 or late 2018. If I continue using the code as is, do I still require a subscription as per the new license? I don't actively plan on maintaining the business unless something breaks (it is a very simple product and paying hosting fees is about as far as my daily involvement goes).

Thank you in advance for you advice - I am really curious on how to resolve this.

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