# Open Source or Patented?

**URL:** <https://forum.algorand.co/t/open-source-or-patented/872>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [August 8, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/open-source-or-patented/872 "2019-08-08T01:51:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CryptoDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@CryptoDude](https://forum.algorand.co/u/CryptoDude)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/open-source-or-patented/872/1 "2019-08-08T01:51:18Z")

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Dear Team,

Got a question about who can develop the Algorand blockchain code.

1. On the website, I noticed the following statement:  
The Algorand node repository is open sourced and publicly available for anyone to audit, use, and build upon. The platform is founded in principles of transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration and maintained by a dedicated community with a shared vision of a decentralized, borderless future.

2. However, there are a huge list of patent applications listed here:  
[https://arxiv.org/pdf/1607.01341.pdf](https://arxiv.org/pdf/1607.01341.pdf)

Can I understand in light of the above, that are the only people allowed to build the code are the founders themselves? Or can other parties not affiliated with Algorand copy the code and build on top of it?

Please provide an explanation.

Thank You  
Jin

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**Author:** ![Tyler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.algorand.co/tyler/32/27_2.png) [@Tyler](https://forum.algorand.co/u/Tyler)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/open-source-or-patented/872/2 "2019-08-08T21:04:48Z")

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Hi Jin- Thanks for the question, please check out the [COPYING\_FAQ Here](https://github.com/algorand/go-algorand/blob/master/COPYING_FAQ) in Github. I believe it will answer your questions.

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**Author:** ![CryptoDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@CryptoDude](https://forum.algorand.co/u/CryptoDude)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/open-source-or-patented/872/3 "2019-08-11T23:49:33Z")

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Thank you very much Tyler.