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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.”


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