Elastic has introduced the Elastic License v2 (ELv2), a simplified and more permissive non-copyleft license for Elasticsearch and Kibana, aiming to minimize disruption and protect against misuse while maintaining openness. The ELv2 allows users to "use, copy, distribute, make available, and prepare derivative works" with three main restrictions: not providing the products as a managed service, not circumventing license key functionality, and not removing licensing or copyright notices. This change reflects Elastic's intent to support its community by addressing concerns and incorporating learnings from other companies like MongoDB and CockroachDB. While the SSPL, a copyleft license created by MongoDB, remains an option for the source code, the license change does not affect Elastic Cloud or self-managed customers. The company emphasizes its commitment to developing new features and supporting its community, aiming for continued success with its products.