# 0002 - ASIO License And Trademark Decision

Date: 2026-06-19

Status: accepted; GPLv3 release path selected by the project owner on
2026-06-19

## Decision

During development and release preparation, this repository may reference and
compile the local Steinberg ASIO SDK under the SDK's GPLv3 path.

The project owner selected the GPLv3-compatible release path on 2026-06-19.
ASIO-enabled binaries may be built for local verification when `ENABLE_ASIO=ON`
is explicit. Distribution remains gated on packaging the corresponding GPLv3
source/license notices and preserving the Steinberg SDK license files.

Under this selected path:

- Do not use the ASIO logo in the application, README, website, screenshots, or
  release assets.
- Do not use `ASIO` or similar derivatives in the product name.
- Use `ASIO` only as a descriptive backend/API label where necessary.
- Preserve Steinberg SDK license files and notices.
- Do not modify the SDK license text.
- Do not bundle vendor ASIO drivers.
- Do not present ASIO support as certified or endorsed by Steinberg.

## Rationale

The local SDK materials state that the SDK is dual licensed under the
proprietary Steinberg ASIO License or GPLv3. They also state that proprietary
publication requires a signed license agreement, and that trademark/logo usage
must follow Steinberg usage guidelines.

The owner chose the GPLv3 path rather than the proprietary Steinberg ASIO SDK
license path. The safest engineering posture is therefore:

- Allow local ASIO-enabled development and verification.
- Avoid product branding or release claims.
- Require release packaging to include GPLv3-compatible source and license
  notices before distributing ASIO-enabled binaries.

## Development Policy

- ASIO source integration should be isolated behind a backend boundary.
- Build options should make ASIO integration explicit.
- The application should still be able to build non-ASIO components when
  `ENABLE_ASIO=OFF`.
- Logs may identify an `ASIO` backend when the user selected an installed ASIO
  driver.
- UI copy should avoid implying Steinberg endorsement.

## Release Gate

Before any release containing ASIO SDK-derived code or ASIO support:

1. Confirm the whole ASIO-enabled distribution is GPLv3-compatible.
2. Include source availability, GPLv3 license text, Steinberg SDK license files,
   and third-party notices in the release bundle.
3. Confirm whether ASIO logo or trademark usage is needed; default is no logo.
4. Review Steinberg ASIO usage guidelines for any descriptive ASIO references.
5. Record any superseding release decision in this file.

## Not Legal Advice

This document is an engineering guardrail for the repository. It is not legal
advice and does not replace review by the project owner or qualified counsel.

## Sources

- `ASIO-SDK_2.3.4_2025-10-15/ASIOSDK/README.md`
- `ASIO-SDK_2.3.4_2025-10-15/ASIOSDK/LICENSE.txt`
- `ASIO-SDK_2.3.4_2025-10-15/ASIOSDK/changes.txt`
