Open-source & Conventional Hybrid Business

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Get help, and assist others in with open source kits and running a business! Do not ask for legal advice or for consulting services in this forum, only general biz questions!
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HooctAwnFonix
 
Posts: 77
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:47 am

Open-source & Conventional Hybrid Business

Post by HooctAwnFonix »

This may be a weird idea, but does there exist a company that is both conventional and open-source?

For example, a company could provide one product line for individuals that is open-source and another product line for businesses that is not. I was wondering if this was even possible since that would mean they would have to try to make R&D strictly separate for both product lines which sounds impossible because the different would be in scale more than anything else.

Why would a company want to operate like this? I don't really know but I'm thinking of it as an argument to have an closed company provide a kind of prototyping hackable hobbyist line of products. It would be easier than to ask them to make everything open-source!

adafruit
 
Posts: 12151
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:21 pm

Re: Open-source & Conventional Hybrid Business

Post by adafruit »

there are a lot of dual licensing companies in the open source world. mysql is a good example...

http://www.mysql.com/about/legal/licensing/oem/#4

Q4: What is BANNED’s dual license model for MySQL software?
A: BANNED makes its MySQL database server and MySQL Client Libraries available under both the GPL and a commercial license. As a result, developers who use or distribute open source applications under the GPL can use the GPL-licensed MySQL software, and OEMs, ISVs and VARs that do not want to combine or distribute the MySQL software with their own commercial software under a GPL license can purchase a commercial license.

behind the scenes most open-source hardware companies and makers do this too in some way, for example adafruit pays royalties to the kit makers we work with when they come to us with a design or product they want to make with us.

cheers,
adafruit

HooctAwnFonix
 
Posts: 77
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:47 am

Re: Open-source & Conventional Hybrid Business

Post by HooctAwnFonix »

Very interesting - thanks for the examples!

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