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Q&A About License
Why is MiniMax-H3's open-weight license currently limited to the EU, UK, South Korea, and US?
MiniMax-H3 was built with the goal of global availability. The current territory scope is not about excluding specific countries or regions, but about recognizing that video generation models are facing a more complex and rapidly evolving regulatory environment compared with text or code models.
Regions such as the EU, UK, South Korea, and the US are currently developing or enforcing AI-related regulations that may have specific implications for generative video models, especially around areas such as likeness generation, copyright, content safety, and responsible deployment.
The EU AI Act has started enforcement, while practical requirements for models capable of generating video and likeness-related content are still evolving.
Similar regulatory uncertainties exist in the UK and South Korea regarding AI-generated content and video generation.
In the US, AI regulation remains a rapidly changing landscape, and MiniMax is also involved in ongoing copyright-related legal proceedings specifically concerning generative video AI.
For open-weight models, once the weights are released, developers can deploy and modify them independently. This creates different compliance challenges compared with hosted services.
We had two options:
Wait until every jurisdiction reaches complete regulatory clarity before releasing open weights, which could take a long time while AI technology continues to evolve.
Release the model now with a transparent license scope, while continuing to evaluate and expand availability.
We chose the second approach. The current limitation means "not yet", not "not ever."
Why can MiniMax-H3 API be used globally if open weights are restricted in some regions?
The difference is the distribution model.
The main concern is not the existence of MiniMax-H3 itself, but the ability to control compliance after open weights leave our infrastructure.
For API access, MiniMax operates the serving infrastructure and can enforce appropriate safeguards, including:
Protection against misuse involving minors.
Copyright-related compliance measures.
Content safety controls.
Compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
With open weights, users can independently deploy, modify, and distribute the model, which makes it much harder to ensure the same level of compliance.
Therefore, the API and open-weight release follow different approaches:
API: Globally available with built-in safeguards and responsible-use controls.
Open weights: Temporarily limited in certain regions until the regulatory and compliance framework becomes clearer.
Can organizations in restricted regions still use MiniMax-H3?
Yes.
Organizations in these regions can apply for a formal license. After reviewing the deployment scenario and confirming that appropriate compliance controls and safeguards are implemented, MiniMax may authorize usage.
Application form >> https://platform.minimax.io/h3-license
Through authorized deployments, MiniMax can ensure that MiniMax-H3 is used responsibly while meeting local legal and regulatory requirements.
Will MiniMax expand open-weight availability in the future?
Yes. We will continue monitoring legal developments and reassessing the territory scope.
Our commitments:
Continuously review regulations and compliance requirements across regions.
Keep MiniMax-H3 API available globally, so users can continue accessing the model.
Clearly communicate any future license changes instead of making silent updates.
Listen to feedback from developers, researchers, and organizations affected by these restrictions.
Our goal remains the same: bringing intelligence to everyone with responsible AI use.
The current license scope reflects today's regulatory reality, not our long-term vision.
This regional carve-out stems from our ongoing generative video copyright litigation with major Hollywood studios.
We aim to deliver our AI tools globally to all users responsibly. US-based persons looking to deploy MiniMax-H3 may submit formal licensing requests. Licenses will be issued to applicants who commit to implementing robust compliance controls and guardrails fully aligned with US legal, compliance and regulatory requirements.
for the EU, UK, and South Korea. This regional carve-out is driven by ongoing regulatory evolution surrounding AI-generated video content across these regions. Unlike hosted services, open-weight model releases allow developers to independently deploy and modify model weights, introducing unique compliance challenges amid the current regulatory uncertainties in these regions. We will continuously monitor and assess evolving local regulations to adjust our access policies. In the meantime, persons based in these regions seeking to deploy MiniMax-H3 may submit formal licensing requests. Licenses will be granted to applicants that commit to implementing robust compliance controls and guardrails fully aligned with local legal and regulatory standards.
Incredible work. Am I reading this right that users in excluded territories need a formal license just to post research outputs? Also why is the application hosted on a thrid-party Feishu link instead of Hugging Face or a MiniMax domain?
Hello. I am the creator of Sulpur 2, an uncensored finetune of LTX 2.3. I'm wondering if it would be within regulation to finetune h3 with the same manner of content, and then take a step further and host it on a website. There would of course be filters for legality.
Incredible work. Am I reading this right that users in excluded territories need a formal license just to post research outputs? Also why is the application hosted on a thrid-party Feishu link instead of Hugging Face or a MiniMax domain?
will use MiniMax domain very soon
Too bad I can't read
Licenses will be granted to applicants that commit to implementing robust compliance controls and guardrails fully aligned with local legal and regulatory standards.
how would they verify they wouldn't "misuse" it? nothing actually stops users in the sanctioned countries from downloading it, only companies will comply not to risk it
Hi MiniMax Team,
I'm based in the UAE (not an excluded territory) and will run MiniMax H3 locally on my own PC using ComfyUI, without using the MiniMax API. Two of my use cases involve content that becomes publicly viewable or reaches customers elsewhere:
(1) posting finished videos to a public YouTube channel, and
(2) producing training videos (using AI) for a Canada-headquartered SaaS company (with annual revenue below USD 20 million) whose customers may include users in the US.
Does Section V.4's territorial restriction on 'outputs' apply based on where the output is generated, or does it also restrict where the finished content is later viewed or distributed?
Also, is crediting MiniMax H3 in YouTube description sufficient for the required disclosure? For training videos also will credits in the description or read me section suffice or simply mentioning AI generated content is enough.
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Thank You
Hi MiniMax team,
I am based in the USA and am ready to request your license for excluded territories. I am an independent artist / novelist and will promote my book via a trailer on YouTube. The trailer will use various video clips generated with MiniMax H3. I can attribute those clips with "Powered by Minimax H3" or equivalent with no issues.
My issue is with the indemnity clause on your request form. If I produce output that can be legally sued (unlikely because of YouTube's own policies), does that clause protect you from ME suing you, or anyone suing you due to the way I used your output in my videos? Be specific, please.
I will clarify this with a direct question:
If I use H3 privately and locally to create an original video and subsequently publish that finished video commercially on YouTube or Facebook, does Section VI.3 require me personally to defend or indemnify MiniMax against third-party copyright, trademark, publicity-right, or other claims relating to that output, even where I have not breached the license or Acceptable Use Policy?
Hello MiniMax Team,
I have one additional question regarding commercial use.
I am an individual creator based in Japan and plan to run MiniMax H3 locally on my own PC using ComfyUI, without using the MiniMax API.
Can I use videos generated locally with MiniMax H3 in monetized YouTube videos (including advertising revenue) without paying any additional commercial licensing fees or obtaining a separate commercial license from MiniMax?
My annual revenue is far below USD 20 million.
Also, is crediting MiniMax H3 in the video credits or YouTube description sufficient for the required disclosure?
Thank you!
Yes, You don't need license.
It is required to mention MiniMax‑H3 either at the beginning or the end.
@ryanlee-dev
Hi, according to your reply, in this scene we don't need the license, but I saw such description in the comfyui license page of H3, I'm quite confusing about that. Could you give us some futher explanation about that? Thank you very much.
Who needs a MiniMax H3 commercial license?
Anyone running MiniMax models locally for commercial work: business use, client work, or products you ship. Open weights let anyone download the models and start creating; the license is what makes commercial use of your local outputs legal.
The link is here: https://comfy.org/minimax/license
Hi MiniMax Team, building on @yaotech 's question above.
I'm building a web app (Frontend + Local ComfyUI backend) offering AI image/video generation to end users — using MiniMax H3, Music 3, and other models/LLMs to generate better quality video from a user's prompt or our templates. We're a new startup, far under $20M/year revenue, outside the excluded territories.
Same like @yaotech I'm a little confused by the Community License vs Comfy's licensing page :
- Comfy's page says "Anyone running MiniMax models locally for commercial work... needs the license," but your earlier reply and the Hugging Face license terms say under $20M outside excluded territories, no license is needed. Which is correct for a product like mine?
- Comfy's page also excludes "running a model marketplace, API aggregator, inference-as-a-service, or model-routing platform" from what their license covers. Is that restriction part of the actual MiniMax Community License, or specific to Comfy's resold license? This is confusing because the MiniMax Community License itself defines "Hosted Services" as "hosted services provided via application programming interfaces (APIs), web access, or any other electronic or remote means" — which suggests web-based/API use is contemplated and licensed, not excluded.
- If so, beyond the Section IV.2 UI-display requirement, what other conditions apply to running H3/Music 3 as part of a hosted commercial web app (vs. publishing finished videos)?
Thanks for the clarity so far in this thread.
Hey, thank you for answering our questions!
If i’m a freelancer from Romania, an EU country, and i have under 20M revenue, i completed the form on the website you posted and received a confirmation on email, am I therefore allowed to:
- Post social content on my pages with myself and my image only (think ugc or talking heads) for european audiences?
I will tag each video as ‘AI-Generated using Minimax H3’ to comply with local laws/EU AI Act.
I just wanted to make sure the email confirmation is enough and that I am allowed to use the model locally/through comfy cloud API for this scope of growing the instagram/youtube/tiktok pages and advertising my freelancing services there using AI content talking-heads, and that the email confirmation grants me access to use the model and the outputs.
I am not ‘selling’ usage or building a platform. I just want to make content for myself with myself. I’m doing video production.
Thank you! You guys are doing great work 🙏🏻
Dear MiniMax Licensing Team,
I am an Australia-based independent creator working on an original movie/web series project (new original IP). I am currently utilizing MiniMax H3 within my local workflow/environment to produce the visual and audio visual content for the pilot demo and very impressed with outcome.
As an independent creator operating with limited initial funding, I am writing to clarify the commercial licensing terms for global distribution, specifically regarding the following points:
Global Distribution Rights (US & Worldwide Markets):
I plan to publish and monetize this original film/web series globally, including distribution across platforms in North America (US), Europe, and other international territories. Under the MiniMax H3 Community License, could you confirm that publishing and monetizing original artistic works created locally in Australia for global distribution is permitted? Is explicit individual authorization is required for local weight deployment tied to US/global commercial reach?
Commercial Threshold & Scale Agreement:
My project is currently operating well under the $20M annual revenue threshold. We intend to give prominent credit ("Powered by MiniMax H3") in the final project credits and marketing materials. Should the project exceed commercial thresholds or achieve significant distribution milestones, I am eager to transition to a formal enterprise agreement.
IP Ownership:
Please confirm that as the creator, I retain full commercial ownership of the original intellectual property (story, characters, and final assembled media) generated through this workflow.
Project Details:
Creator / Entity: Independent Creator
Location: Australia
Project Type: Independent Original Movie / Web Series (New IP)
Primary Deployment: Local environment (MiniMax H3 workflow)
Distribution Targets: Global (Streaming / Digital release including US)
Thank you for providing such powerful technology to independent storytellers. I look forward to your response and guidance on any specific contractual steps needed before initial release.
Which is the better choice between "H3-Regenerate-2K" and "H3-Max" in terms of overall cost-performance for inference?