Technically, you can remove the watermark using CSS or JavaScript DOM manipulation. Because the watermark is just a div or SVG text element rendered inside the diagram canvas, you can hide it.
Example of a hack (for educational purposes only):
/* Hide the GoJS watermark - BRUTALLY BAD IDEA */
[data-watermark="true"],
.gojs-watermark,
canvas + div:last-child
display: none !important;
Or via JavaScript:
setInterval(() =>
const watermark = document.querySelector('.gojs-watermark');
if (watermark) watermark.remove();
, 100);
A: The Diagram.makeImage() and makeSvg functions render the diagram from the canvas memory, not the DOM. CSS hacks do not affect exported images. The watermark will appear in PDFs, PNGs, and printouts. gojs remove watermark
If you decide to ignore licensing and remove the watermark via hacking, here is what you risk:
| Consequence | Impact | | :--- | :--- | | Legal Liability | Northwoods Software actively tracks piracy. If your web app becomes popular, they will issue a cease & desist and demand back-licensing fees for every developer who touched the code. | | Broken Diagrams | Patched libraries often break with the next browser update (e.g., Chrome changing canvas rendering). Your production app will display broken lines, missing text, or nothing at all. | | No Support | When your diagrams break (and they will), Northwoods will refuse support. You will be left alone with a broken, hacked library. | | Bad for Your Reputation | Open-source or commercial software that relies on pirated GoJS cannot be legally distributed or audited. Investors and clients will walk away if they discover license violations. |
Northwoods Software provides clear, legal pathways to remove the GoJS watermark: Technically, you can remove the watermark using CSS
Purchase a Commercial License: For organizations deploying GoJS in production applications, purchasing a standard commercial license (currently starting at $1,495) removes the watermark and provides full usage rights, updates, and support.
Acquire a Developer License: Individual developers working on non-commercial or evaluation projects can obtain developer licenses at reduced rates, which also remove the watermark for approved use cases.
Use the Evaluation Period Properly: The watermark remains during evaluation to indicate unlicensed status. Developers should use this period to test functionality, after which purchasing a license removes the watermark automatically. Or via JavaScript: setInterval(() => const watermark =
Explore Open Source Alternatives: If budget constraints are significant, consider legitimate open-source alternatives like Draw.io (diagrams.net), which offers similar functionality without watermarks under the Apache 2.0 license.
Before attempting to remove the watermark, you must understand its purpose. Northwoods Software (the makers of GoJS) operates on a traditional software licensing model. The watermark serves two primary functions:
When does the watermark appear?