License Conflict in solana-web3.js Package Due to Dependency on rpc-websockets

[stezki]

I appreciate all the effort that has gone into making solana-web3.js a great library for interacting with Solana. However, I have encountered a licensing issue that prevents me from using it in my project.

The solana-web3.js package itself is under the MIT license, which is permissive and works well with many projects. However, one of its dependencies, rpc-websockets, is licensed under LGPL-3.0-only. This license introduces restrictions that are incompatible with my project’s licensing requirements.

The LGPL-3.0 license imposes obligations that can complicate the use of rpc-websockets in some commercial or closed-source projects. As a result, I am unable to use solana-web3.js in my project due to the presence of this dependency.

Proposed Solutions:

Replace rpc-websockets: Consider replacing the rpc-websockets package with an alternative that is licensed under a more permissive license, such as MIT or Apache-2.0.
Reimplement the Required Functionality: If feasible, reimplement the functionality provided by rpc-websockets within the solana-web3.js package itself or use another compatible library.
Clarify Compatibility: If replacing the dependency is not possible, provide guidance on how users can handle the licensing issue when using solana-web3.js.
Impact: This issue impacts developers and teams who are unable to comply with LGPL-3.0-only requirements, especially in commercial or proprietary environments. Resolving this would make solana-web3.js accessible to a broader audience.

Additional Context: Here are some relevant details:

solana-web3.js main license: MIT
rpc-websockets license: LGPL-3.0-only
Thank you for your time and for considering this issue. I hope a resolution can be found to allow more developers to benefit from the excellent work on solana-web3.js.

[mcintyre94]

The new version of web3js has no dependencies and is MIT licensed, so you should be able to use it. There's also a link in the readme. https://github.com/anza-xyz/solana-web3.js