July 3, 2008 10:59 AM PDT

Identi.ca--open-source Twitter?

Posted by Dave Rosenberg

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Identi.ca launched Thursday and it's basically an open-source version of Twitter licensed under the AGPL.

AGPL is a great license for network applications, but one thing that puzzles me is that I couldn't figure out a way to get out of using the AGPL version--like if I wanted to create my own version I guess I just have to abide by the license terms and I can't buy my way out of it?

I tend to think of GPL licenses as a great tool for capitalist projects, but there doesn't seem to be a way to pay. Maybe I am just missing something.

Anybody?

Dave Rosenberg is currently working on a new stealth start-up based in San Francisco. He is Co-founder of MuleSource, an open source integration and infrastructure software company and is a recognized thought-leader in open source software and service-oriented architecture. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

Topics:: Market Dynamics,; Disruptors,; Open source

Tags:: GPL,; Twitter

Bookmark:: Digg; Del.icio.us; Reddit

About Negative Approach

Dave Rosenberg is currently working on a new stealth start-up based in San Francisco. On the Negative Approach Blog, Dave discusses the dynamics of growing a startup company and how the software market is evolving against monolithic software corporations whose corporate hegemony stifle innovation and annoy developers worldwide. He has experience at both large corporations and several startups; technology has long been his best friend and mortal enemy. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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