The balance between open source and monetization - DCD

"Open source does not, at first glance, appear to go hand-in-hand with monetization, but this is based on a common misconception. Because Open Source Software (OSS) is commonly referred to as Free Software, many wrongly assume that this means it is free of cost. In fact, within the context of open source, “free” refers to the freedom of open source, as users are free to inspect, derive work, redistribute and run any OSS. Due to these varying definitions, there is some navigation that open source providers must undertake to get the balance right between open source and monetization. Many believe open source should remain free of cost to stay in the true spirit of OSS. However, some companies are designing paid-for solutions that assist OSS users by providing a service that makes accessing OSS easier – therefore helping the freedoms of the open source users. ..."