On the Ambiguity of Commercial Open Source

TL;DR

This paper discusses the evolving relationship between open source and commercial software, highlighting their convergence and exploring the implications for industry and society.

Contribution

It analyzes the recent convergence of open source and commercial software markets and discusses the resulting industry and societal implications.

Findings

Open source now generates significant profits for businesses.

The markets for open source and commercial software are rapidly converging.

This convergence has complex implications for industry and society.

Abstract

Open source and commercial applications used to be two separate worlds. The former was the work of amateurs who had little interest in making a profit, while the latter was only profit oriented and was produced by big companies. Nowadays open source is a threat and an opportunity to serious businesses of all kinds, generating good profits while delivering low costs products to customers. The competition between commercial and open source software has impacted the industry and the society as a whole. But in the last years, the markets for commercial and open source software are converging rapidly and it is interesting to resume and discuss the implications of this new paradigm, taking into account arguments pro and against it.