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The Open Source Definition

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Open Source Initiative Key Value Propositions

OSI's core value proposition is providing the definitive standard and trust for open-source licensing, fostering a global community through advocacy and education. They enable innovation and compliance by acting as a nexus for developers, legal professionals, enterprises, and policymakers in the open technology landscape.

Standardization
Advocacy
Community Building
Trust & Compliance

Open Source Initiative Brand Positioning

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) positions itself as the authoritative steward of the Open Source Definition, building trust and community in the open-source ecosystem through standards, advocacy, and education, particularly around ethical AI and data governance.

Top Competitors

1

Linux Foundation

2

Eclipse Foundation

3

Free Software Foundation (FSF)

Customer Sentiments

Customer sentiment is largely positive, as evidenced by the strong community engagement, reliance on OSI for licensing standards, and the appeal to those who value open-source ethos. Users trust OSI as a credible and essential body for guidance and advocacy in the open-source domain.

Actionable Insights

Focus marketing efforts on LinkedIn and professional channels, emphasizing OSI's thought leadership in ethical AI and data governance to attract high-value professionals and organizations.

Products and Features

The Open Source Definition - Product Description

The Open Source Definition (OSD) outlines the criteria that software distribution terms must meet to be considered open source. It encompasses ten key points: Free Redistribution, Source Code availability, Allowed Derived Works, Integrity of the Author's Source Code (with allowance for distribution of derived works), No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups, No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor, Distribution of License, License Must Not Be Specific to a Product, License Must Not Restrict Other Software, and License Must Be Technology-Neutral. These criteria ensure that users have the freedom to use, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions. The OSD is a foundational document for the open-source movement, providing a clear and consistent standard for what constitutes 'open source' beyond mere access to source code.

Pros

  • It provides a clear and consistent standard for what constitutes open-source software, fostering widespread adoption and understanding
  • The definition promotes collaborative development and innovation by ensuring software can be freely shared and modified
  • It protects user freedoms by guaranteeing the right to use, study, change, and distribute the software.

Cons

  • Interpreting and applying all ten clauses of the OSD can sometimes be complex, leading to debates over license compatibility
  • The broad nature of the definition can occasionally lead to licenses that, while compliant, may still present challenges in specific legal or commercial contexts
  • While promoting freedom, the permissive nature of some open-source licenses based on the OSD might not always align with all proprietary business models.

Alternatives

  • The GNU Free Software Definition is a prominent alternative, emphasizing user freedom through four essential freedoms, and is often seen as more philosophically stringent
  • Various 'shared source' or 'community source' licenses exist, which offer more limited rights than full open-source licenses, often for specific communities or purposes
  • Proprietary software licenses are a direct alternative, where the source code is typically kept secret and usage is highly restricted by the licensor.

Company Updates

Latest Events at Open Source Initiative

Open Source Initiative – The steward of the Open Source Definition ...

Receive the top news and articles of the Open Source ecosystem in your inbox ... The content on this website, of which Opensource.org is the author, is ...

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Apache License, Version 2.0

OSI Approved License: https://opensource.org/licenses/Apache-2.0. The 2.0 ... Include a copy of the Apache License, typically in a file called LICENSE ...

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The 3-Clause BSD License – Open Source Initiative

Note: This license has also been called the “New BSD License” or “Modified BSD License”. ... The content on this website, of which Opensource.org is the ...

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Become a Member of OSI – OSI Members Site

Join us as a member today and help us build a brighter and more open future! Membership will last 12 months. New Membership. If you have a discount code, enter ...

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