Thank you for using GitHub! We're happy you're here. Please read this Terms of Service agreement carefully before accessing or using GitHub. Because it is such an important contract between us and our users, we have tried to make it as clear as possible. For your convenience, we have presented these terms in a short non-binding summary followed by the full legal terms.
Summary
| Section | What can you find there? |
|---|---|
| A. Definitions | Some basic terms, defined in a way that will help you understand this agreement. Refer back up to this section for clarification. |
| B. Account Terms | These are the basic requirements of having an Account on GitHub. |
| C. Acceptable Use | These are the basic rules you must follow when using your GitHub Account. |
| D. User-Generated Content | You own the content you post on GitHub. However, you have some responsibilities regarding it, and we ask you to grant us some rights so we can provide services to you. |
| E. Private Repositories | This section talks about how GitHub will treat content you post in private repositories. |
| F. Copyright & DMCA Policy | This section talks about how GitHub will respond if you believe someone is infringing your copyrights on GitHub. |
| G. Intellectual Property Notice | This describes GitHub's rights in the website and service. |
| H. API Terms | These are the rules for using GitHub's APIs, whether you are using the API for development or data collection. |
| I. Additional Product Terms | We have a few specific rules for GitHub's features and products. |
| J. Beta Previews | These are some of the additional terms that apply to GitHub's features that are still in development. |
| K. Payment | You are responsible for payment. We are responsible for billing you accurately. |
| L. Cancellation and Termination | You may cancel this agreement and close your Account at any time. |
| M. Communications with GitHub | We only use email and other electronic means to stay in touch with our users. We do not provide phone support. |
| N. Disclaimer of Warranties | We provide our service as is, and we make no promises or guarantees about this service. Please read this section carefully; you should understand what to expect. |
| O. Limitation of Liability | We will not be liable for damages or losses arising from your use or inability to use the service or otherwise arising under this agreement. Please read this section carefully; it limits our obligations to you. |
| P. Release and Indemnification | You are fully responsible for your use of the service. |
| Q. Changes to these Terms of Service | We may modify this agreement, but we will give you 30 days' notice of material changes. |
| R. Miscellaneous | Please see this section for legal details including our choice of law. |
The GitHub Terms of Service
Effective date: November 16, 2020
A. Definitions
Short version: We use these basic terms throughout the agreement, and they have specific meanings. You should know what we mean when we use each of the terms. There's not going to be a test on it, but it's still useful information.
- An "Account" represents your legal relationship with GitHub. A “User Account” represents an individual User’s authorization to log in to and use the Service and serves as a User’s identity on GitHub. “Organizations” are shared workspaces that may be associated with a single entity or with one or more Users where multiple Users can collaborate across many projects at once. A User Account can be a member of any number of Organizations.
- The “Agreement” refers, collectively, to all the terms, conditions, notices contained or referenced in this document (the “Terms of Service” or the "Terms") and all other operating rules, policies (including the GitHub Privacy Statement, available at github.com/site/privacy) and procedures that we may publish from time to time on the Website. Most of our site policies are available at docs.github.com/categories/site-policy.
- "Beta Previews" mean software, services, or features identified as alpha, beta, preview, early access, or evaluation, or words or phrases with similar meanings.
- “Content” refers to content featured or displayed through the Website, including without limitation code, text, data, articles, images, photographs, graphics, software, applications, packages, designs, features, and other materials that are available on the Website or otherwise available through the Service. "Content" also includes Services. “User-Generated Content” is Content, written or otherwise, created or uploaded by our Users. "Your Content"