[License-discuss] we need a new license for earning money

Jeremy Bennett jeremy.bennett at embecosm.com
Mon Sep 23 17:27:53 UTC 2013


On 20/09/13 23:04, Pirmin Braun wrote:
> Am Fri, 20 Sep 2013 15:22:41 -0400
> schrieb John Cowan <cowan at mercury.ccil.org> :
>
>> Pirmin Braun scripsit:
>>
>>> So I'd like to share our thoughts: Maybe it is possible to add such
>>> an extension to the OSI Open Source Definition? Or create a new class
>>> of approved liceneses?
>>
>> Not gonna happen.  We believe very strongly in non-discrimination among
>> licensees, and to disadvantage the millionaire is as unethical as to
>> disadvantage the poor.
>
> we're in the business world: The millionaire companies feel better to pay for licences. It's not a disadvantage. They want to see, there is someone taking care of the software they're using who makes a living from this money. There are about 60 years of programming in IntarS (started at 1996) and it's easier to just say price than trying to explain how this development was financed. Because either there were non-paid just-for-fun programmers at work who may turn away at any time or the professional services have to pay the bills.
> Taking license fees just gives more credibility and trust.
>
> Then have you ever thought about the allowed means of making money from Open Source? Like selling copies? Strictly speaking, this is also a discrimination: Someone having a slow internet connection or little knowledge of how to build a product from the sources and having no friends that can help is forced to pay money. Same with professional services: companies not having the IT stuff to do it inhouse are discriminated! They have to hire Open Source contractors to help them.
>
Hi Pirmin,

Lots of us make money from GPL open source. You have to find a business 
model that works.

The problem you have is you are trying to impose a proprietary 
product-centric business model on an open source product. Try a 
different business model.


Jeremy

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