When open source sells out.

[ Thanks to Locutus for this link. ]

"I just read a rather alarming article claiming that Oracle aims to destroy open source software industry. This article is in the tone of chicken little. As in the sky is falling and all is doom and gloom. It is written in such a way to ring every alarm bell it can find. It is, I believe, on the border of FUD, even crossed over the border a bit in some places.

"However, this is one scenario which must be seriously considered (Me? Serious?). As open source software becomes popular and gains perceived value it becomes a prize. People or companies will want to gain control of it and find some way of profiting by it. This is not surprising, it is the Enterprise manner to engage in this thinking.

"So what can really happen with open source software if or when it sells out? Quite simply it stays open source. That will not change and here's why. Unless the open source program only has a single programmer then the only way to change the license of that program is to gain the agreement of all contributors."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• Is Linux the computing Tower of Babel?(Aug 18, 2010)
• Where would we be without open source software?(Aug 09, 2010)
• Linux is dough, windows is glass.(Jul 29, 2010)
• Washing the windows myths. Program installation.(Jul 27, 2010)
• Open source software. The gateway drug to Linux.(Jul 20, 2010)
• Has Linux lost the desktop battle?(Jul 15, 2010)
• Living with Linux.(Jul 12, 2010)
• OSS vs proprietary software quality and usage.(Jul 09, 2010)
• Open Source, free or not free?(Jul 04, 2010)