Comments on: A new M&A for open source?

If we could figure out ways to enable the software industry provide profitable exits for open-source projects to become foundations instead of companies, we'd be a richer industry for it.

[hymanroth]

Snap!

Hey Matt, do you remember the short email I sent you outlining a usage-based royalty model for OS?

Well, I've been thinking quite hard about the idea and how to extend it to encompass charitable aims. The working title is P-BOS (pro bono open source) and all the pieces are nearly in place.

In early January I'll be sending you and some other people I respect the draft documentation. If enough people buy into the idea, I think we could hit multiple birds with one (free) stone.

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on OS issues, and happy new year

David Semeria.

[Matt Asay]

I'd love to see it, and yes, of course I remember your email (still sitting in my in-box, which actually means something with me: I keep my in-box under 20 messages and treat it as a to-do list). I just haven't had time to adequately respond to your ideas yet.

But I'd love to hear more about P-BOS.

[billburke]

IMO, foundations are a horrible place for an open source project. I kinda equate it to trying to run a business in a communist state. You need a strong benevolent dictator with vision for the project or it just rots. Take a look what happened recently with the Apache MINA project. Geronimo struggled with its own bureaucratic red tape as well.