Comment by Rendello

Companies can buy licences if they're uncomfortable with the Public Domain dedication:

[quote]

Licenses are available to satisfy the following needs:

    * You want indemnity against claims of copyright infringement.
    * You are using SQLite in a jurisdiction that does not recognize the public domain.
    * You are using SQLite in a jurisdiction that does not recognize the right of authors to dedicate their work to the public domain.
    * You want to hold a tangible legal document as evidence that you have the legal right to use and distribute SQLite.
    * Your legal department tells you that you have to purchase a license.

[end quote]

https://www.sqlite.org/purchase/license