P2P Foundation

Commercial open source is controlled by exactly one stakeholder with the purpose of commercially exploiting it … The Intellectual Property Rights Imperative of Single-Vendor Commercial Open Source: Always act in such a way that you, and only you, possess the right to provide the open source project under a license of your choice.

Here’s an interesting article on “single-vendor commercial open source,”:

* The Commercial Open Source Business Model, Dirk Riehle

ABSTRACT:

“Commercial open source software projects are open source software projects that are owned by a single firm that derives a direct and significant revenue stream from the software. Commercial open source at first glance represents an economic paradox: How can a firm earn money if it is making its product available for free as open source? This paper presents the core properties of commercial open source business models and discusses how they work. Using a commercial open source approach, firms can get to market faster with a superior product at lower cost than possible for traditional competitors. The paper shows how these benefits accrue from an engaged and self-supporting user community. Lacking any prior comprehensive reference, this paper is based on an analysis of public statements by practitioners of commercial open source. It forges the various anecdotes into a coherent description of revenue generation strategies and relevant business functions.”