This archive contains answers to questions sent to Unidata support through mid-2025. Note that the archive is no longer being updated. We provide the archive for reference; many of the answers presented here remain technically correct, even if somewhat outdated. For the most up-to-date information on the use of NSF Unidata software and data services, please consult the Software Documentation first.
>Dear Unidata, > >We were considering using the AWIPS software package for our needs. > >We are a new small-business, long-endurance, solar-powered airplane >company. As such, we have extensive weather monitoring requirements. AWIPS >looks like a very good workstation for us to try to use. However, >the use and licensing wording on your web page is not clear: > >AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) is a >meteorological display and analysis package originally developed by >the National Weather Service<http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ost/SEC/AE/> >and Raytheon<http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/awips/>, >modified and repackaged by Unidata to support non-operational >use in research and education by UCAR member institutions ><http://president.ucar.edu/governance/members/universities-representatives>. > >Unidata AWIPS source code and binaries (RPMs) are considered to >be in the public domain, meaning there are no restrictions on >any download, modification, or distribution in any form (original >or modified). Unidata AWIPS contains no proprietary content and >is therefore not subject to export controls as stated in the Master >Rights ><https://github.com/Unidata/awips2/blob/unidata_18.1.1/rpms/legal/Master_Rights_File.pdf> >licensing file. > >We are not a weather information company and do not have intent to build >a commercial product from the software. > >Are we allowed to use AWIPS for our concerns? Is there some kind of >release letter or process we must follow to use AWIPS for our operations? Hi, You are free to use the AWIPS software provided by Unidata for your private company without any further documentation. Unidata data feeds and software are considered non-operational so if there is an outage, there is not a guarantee it will be fixed immediately. We have documentation on how to install and setup an AWIPS system our website and can provide some support, but please note that the our primary time is dedicated to supporting non-operational University and research entities. Thanks, Tiffany Meyer AWIPS Lead Software Engineer UCAR-Unidata If you're interested, please feel free to fill out a survey about the support you receive: https://forms.gle/tKG5SY9YJw4vBRVXA Ticket Details =================== Ticket ID: TAT-446218 Department: Support AWIPS Priority: Normal Status: Open =================== NOTE: All email exchanges with Unidata User Support are recorded in the Unidata inquiry tracking system and then made publicly available through the web. If you do not want to have your interactions made available in this way, you must let us know in each email you send to us.