Open Source Software Licenses Versus Business Models 95
dp619 writes "Network World is running a guest article by Outercurve Foundation's technical director Stephen Walli discussing how FOSS license choice can affect a company's business model. Walli disagrees that a FOSS license dictates the business model or that the business model dictates the license."
So there is a 4th model - selling ads? (Score:3, Interesting)
If you look at the businesses that have succeeded using FOSS every. single. one. has used one of the "blessed three" business models, selling support, selling hardware, holding out a tin cup.
Google.
So is there a 4th model - selling targeted advertising? Or is this just selling support where the customer is an advertiser rather than a user?
Re:I'm sorry but he is wrong.. (Score:2, Interesting)
Google makes almost all of their money on proprietary code which runs as a service.
Google open sources certain pieces of software which is secondary to their business. In these cases (such as Chrome and Android) they went the open source route to foster adoption, with the end goal being that their proprietary services make more money.
Call me when Google's search algorithms or their complex services like Google Docs become open source.
Re:I'm sorry but he is wrong.. (Score:3, Interesting)
No, the business model is selling eyeballs. FOSS is one means to that end. Apple does quite well selling the means to the same end as well.