License guide · Custom model license
Gemma Terms of Use
The Gemma Terms of Use are Google's terms for the Gemma models listed in the appendix of the terms page, among them Gemma 1 through Gemma 3, Gemma 3n, EmbeddingGemma, PaliGemma, ShieldGemma, and CodeGemma. The page was last modified on April 1, 2026, and says Gemma 4 has its own separate license. The terms govern using, reproducing, modifying, and distributing Gemma and "Model Derivatives," including through hosted services.1
These notes restate parts of the license text so you know what to look for. They are not complete, are not legal advice, and do not tell you whether a particular use is allowed. The license text governs.
What the license text says
- Distribution conditions
- Distributors must pass on the Section 3.2 use restrictions as an enforceable provision, give recipients a copy of the terms, mark modified files, and, except for Distribution through a Hosted Service, include a Notice file stating "Gemma is provided under and subject to the Gemma Terms of Use found at ai.google.dev/gemma/terms" (Section 3.1).1
- Use restrictions
- Gemma may not be used for the restricted uses in the Gemma Prohibited Use Policy, which is incorporated by reference, or in violation of law. Google "reserves the right to restrict (remotely or otherwise) usage" it reasonably believes violates the terms (Section 3.2).1
- Model Derivatives and hosting
- Model Derivatives include modifications, works based on Gemma, and models created by transferring patterns of Gemma's weights, parameters, operations, or Output so that they perform similarly to Gemma, including by distillation. Offering Gemma as a hosted service via API or web access counts as Distribution (Section 1.1).1
- Outputs
- "Google claims no rights in Outputs you generate using Gemma," and Outputs "are not deemed Model Derivatives" (Sections 1.1 and 3.3).1
- Termination
- Google may terminate the agreement if you breach any of its terms. On termination you must delete and stop using and distributing all copies of Gemma and Model Derivatives in your possession or control (Section 4.5).1
Records in the catalog that use it (1)
| Record | Covers | License as recorded |
|---|---|---|
| EmbeddingGemma 300M | Weights | Gemma Terms of Use |
Sources
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