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Can an Open Source Project Be Acquired?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-just-don't-get-this-one dept.

prostoalex writes "Can an open source project be acquired? ZDNet's Between The Lines says yes, one just did. Software startup JasperSoft acquired Sourceforge-based project JasperReports, which involved acquiring the copyrights and hiring the lead developer for the project." I guess the point he tries to make is that the new corporate overloads can essentially have a free and non-free version of the code, and more or less orphan the free version. The problem of course is that if the non-free version gets good, others will simply fork.

4 of 336 comments (clear)

  1. fp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    First Post. Uberpenguin. http://ramble.host-dot.com

  2. Corporate Overloads = Insightful Freudian Slip by rewinn · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Not ragging on a typo; just inquiring whether "the new corporate overloads" refers to

    "Too much work demanded of too little infrastructure"

    or

    "Too much output, not enough diaper"

    --
    --- Attorneys Assisting Citizen-Soldiers & Families -
  3. Problem for whom? by elgatozorbas · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    The problem of course is that if the non-free version gets good, others will simply fork.

    How is this a problem, and for whom?

  4. YES! fpP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Cre3k, abysmal by clicking here Anything can