OpenObservability Talks

FOSS in Flux: Redis Relicensing and the Future of Open Source: OpenObservability Talks S4E12

May 30, 2024

Explore the shifts in open source with Redis relicensing, community splits, and the rise of new projects like OpenSearch. Delve into the challenges of open source licensing and business models, the concept of forking in projects, and the crucial role of foundations. Learn about the impact on the FOSS movement and the future of open source.

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Quick takeaways

Active forks like Valki supported by AWS are pivotal in maintaining project openness amidst restrictive licensing changes.

Foundations like Apache Software Foundation uphold trust in open-source projects through governance and collaborative processes.

Deep dives

Forked Projects Maintain Openness Against Real Licensing

Instances like OpenSearch, OpenTorfau, and the new Valki project highlight how forks can sustain open-source projects against restrictive licensing changes, such as the recent move by Redis limiting future versions with non-open-source licenses. Non-employed contributors rallied around forks like Valki, backed by AWS, forming successful alternatives to ensure project openness.

Introduction

3min

Embracing Open Source in Remote Territories

7min

Redis Relicensing and Community Split: A Transition Story

6min

Navigating the Complexities of Open Source Licensing and Business Models

26min

Exploring Forking in Open-Source Projects

10min

The Crucial Role of Foundations in the Open-Source Community

5min

Exploring Open Source Maturity and Inviting to Conferences

3min

In the past few years we’ve been witnessing tectonic shifts in the open source realm, with established projects taken off open source or otherwise turning to the dark side. On the other hand, we’ve seen active forks aiming to keep these projects open gaining momentum.

What does it mean for the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement? Is this a trend or just a passing wave? What can we learn from it as vendors and as a community?

In this special episode concluding the fourth season of OpenObservability talks we will look back at the past year, including the very recent relicensing of Redis, and will discuss the state of open source with the help of open source pundit David Nalley.

David has been involved in open source for nearly two decades. He is the director of open source strategy at AWS and currently serves as the President of the Apache Software Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors for the Internet Security Research Group.

The episode was live-streamed on 28 May 2024 and the video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0ESadKuVI

OpenObservability Talks episodes are released monthly, on the last Thursday of each month and are available for listening on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube.

We live-stream the episodes on Twitch and YouTube Live - tune in to see us live, and chime in with your comments and questions on the live chat.

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Show Notes:

00:00 - Show intro and fourth season ending

00:55 - Episode and guest intro

09:50 - Redis relicensing off open source

16:34 - is vendor-owned open source an oxymoron?

20:00 - building business plan around open source

27:52 - what it means for users when a project relicenses

35:08 - Open Source is more than licenses and copyright

42:19 - Forks of relicensed projects to keep them open