What business models are available for open-source software?
Since OSS usually can be obtained without licensing fees and charges, the traditional software business model of selling software to the mass market cannot be used. Other commercial business models have to be used. They include: • Charge for services, support, customisation, training, etc. but not the software. • Develop application using OSS platforms and tools. Product developed is not open source. This is no different from normal software development for close-source platforms. • • Develop tools and/or generic applications and open source them. Charge for the enhanced version(s). • Dual licensing approach to software developed, one is open source, the other is commercially licensed. The most successful example of this business model is the MySQL database software.
