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How Firm Initiation and Control of Projects Affects Open-Source Development

Overview After witnessing the success of open-source projects such as Linux and Apache, firms have sought to appropriate the open-source development model and integrate it into their own projects. Firms face a dilemma, however, since their initiation and control of open-source projects affects the traditional open-source development model in significant ways. Once a firm takes the role of starting and guiding an open-source project, the open-source development model that attracted the firm is forever altered. This paper examines the effects commercial firms have on the open-source development model when they initiate and control open-source projects.

Further White Paper Details
PublisherPresident and Fellows of Harvard College File FormatPDF
Date PublishedMay 2003
FormatWhite Papers   
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