Examining the Shift from Open to Closed Source
Historically, open source software (OSS) has been viewed as a cornerstone of innovation. However, recently some projects have shifted to closed source, triggering widespread debate and controversy. Consequently, this shift’s effects permeate the realms of developers, businesses, and end-users who depend on open source frameworks. In this exploration, we will delve into such transitions, spotlighting key instances from the past two decades.
Multi-faceted Impacts of License Modifications
Initially, the response to an open-source project turning proprietary often involves community forking. This enables continuation under the original open-source terms. Furthermore, a key value of open source—transparency—is undermined, potentially eroding trust among users, developers, and enterprises. Additionally, enterprises dependent on specific licenses face severe legal and compliance challenges. Lastly, project development might decelerate, affecting bug resolutions and enhancements.
Historical Shifts and Their Implications
In 2021, Elastic moved ElasticSearch from the Apache 2.0 license to the Server Side Public License (SSPL), which is not recognized by the OSI. This was met by forking into OpenSearch by AWS and others, reflecting significant trust issues within the community. Moreover, Redis Labs introduced a new license in 2018, restricting certain uses by cloud providers, leading to community forks maintaining the original licensing ethos. Similarly, Oracle’s acquisition of Sun Microsystems raised fears about MySQL’s open-source future in 2008, spurring the creation of MariaDB as a safeguard. Additionally, SugarCRM’s 2014 move to a closed-source model prompted the community to fork into SuiteCRM. Finally, disagreements within OwnCloud in 2016 led to the fork and formation of Nextcloud, a more popular, fully open-source alternative.
Driving Factors Behind Closure
The decision to go closed source is often financially driven, particularly under the strain of generating revenue while competing with cloud providers. Likewise, intellectual property concerns and corporate acquisitions also prompt shifts toward proprietary models.
Community Countermeasures
Importantly, forking represents a significant community response, alongside exploring alternative funding models and selecting protective licenses to prevent unwanted commercial exploitation.
Concluding Observations
The transition from open to closed source is fraught with complex implications. While it may provide short-term financial relief, it typically leads to community forks, market fragmentation, and diminished trust. As open-source software continues to evolve, the enduring challenges between upholding open principles and achieving viable business models remain central issues. The histories of ElasticSearch, Redis, MySQL, SugarCRM, and OwnCloud underscore the community’s proactive stance in maintaining the integrity of open-source initiatives.
