License

The code: GPL-3.0-or-later

MetaProc is built on the R meta-analysis ecosystem (metafor, netmeta, meta, robvis, esc), which is copyleft (GPL). MetaProc itself is therefore licensed GPL-3.0-or-later. In plain language:

• You are free to use, study, modify, and share the code.
• If you distribute MetaProc (or a modified version), you must pass on the same freedoms and make the corresponding source available under the GPL.
• Any desktop installer we ship is "conveyance" under the GPL, so each release ships with a matching public source tag (GPLv3 §6, Corresponding Source).
• Using the hosted web app is not distribution (running software over a network is not "conveyance" under GPLv3), so simply using metaproc.example does not itself trigger source-distribution obligations.

The full text is the standard GNU General Public License v3. The source code lives on GitHub (alongside LICENSING.md and NOTICE with the per-dependency detail).

The name: a trademark carve-out

"MetaProc" (the name and wordmark) is a trademark, not part of the GPL grant. The GPL covers the code; it does not give permission to use the name to brand your own builds. In practice:

• You may fork and redistribute the code under the GPL.
• Please do not call your fork "MetaProc" or use the MetaProc wordmark in a way that implies it is the official project. Rename your distribution instead.

This is a common, GPL-compatible arrangement (the code stays free; the name stays unambiguous). Questions: [email protected].