February 1998
Open Source Initiative founded
Eric Raymond and Bruce Perens co-founded the open sourceSoftware whose source code is freely available to use, modify, and redistribute. Initiative in February 1998 — coining 'open sourceSoftware whose source code is freely available to use, modify, and redistribute.' as a business-friendly term.
What it was for
OSI certified licenses and promoted open sourceSoftware whose source code is freely available to use, modify, and redistribute. to enterprises skeptical of Stallman's 'free softwareSoftware users can run, study, modify, and share — emphasizes user freedom, not just zero price.' framing. The term enabled NetscapeA commercial web browser company — Navigator defined the early consumer web.'s MozillaThe organization behind Firefox — advocates open web standards and internet privacy. release and the dot-com open-source wave.
People
- Eric S. Raymond — co founder
- Bruce Perens — co founder
Why it's here
OSI rebranded free softwareSoftware users can run, study, modify, and share — emphasizes user freedom, not just zero price. for corporate adoption.
Why it mattered
It separated pragmatic open collaboration from ideological free softwareSoftware users can run, study, modify, and share — emphasizes user freedom, not just zero price. debates.
What it solved
Businesses avoided 'free softwareSoftware users can run, study, modify, and share — emphasizes user freedom, not just zero price.' language that sounded anti-commercial.
Media
- ImageOpen Source Initiative
Colin Viebrock, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- Mozilla source code open-sourcedMarch 31, 1998