What is needed is a middle ground between OSS and proprietary licensing. Towards this end we are attempting to define a new software license that is organized around the idea of a software cooperative. This provides the basis for a sustainable business model that OSS, frankly, does not have.
This also helps solve the larger problem of concentration of wealth/power within large corporations as the cooperatives would be distributing the wealth to all participants and not just to founders.
It also provides a better path for startups so they don't have to borrow VC money and can get the help of the community to move them toward profitability in the long term rather than taking the first available bag of money from disinterested investors who only want a return on "their" money.
Cooperatives are among the most stable forms of enterprise and are run via direct democracy (at least in our view.)
To discuss this further, join our mailing list here:
This also helps solve the larger problem of concentration of wealth/power within large corporations as the cooperatives would be distributing the wealth to all participants and not just to founders.
It also provides a better path for startups so they don't have to borrow VC money and can get the help of the community to move them toward profitability in the long term rather than taking the first available bag of money from disinterested investors who only want a return on "their" money.
Cooperatives are among the most stable forms of enterprise and are run via direct democracy (at least in our view.)
To discuss this further, join our mailing list here:
groups.google.com/d/forum/coopsource