Proposal to Compel Payments for Free and Open‑Source Software Gains Attention

An article published on Seldo.com titled “Nobody Pays for Open Source – We Can Force Them To” outlines a proposal to introduce legal mechanisms that would require commercial users of open‑source software to compensate original developers. The author argues that current licensing models, such as permissive licenses, allow corporations to reap substantial profits without providing any financial return to the projects that underpin their products. The piece suggests a framework in which usage metrics could be tracked and fees levied proportionally, aiming to create a sustainable revenue stream for maintainers while preserving the open‑source ethos of free access to source code.

The proposal quickly attracted attention on Hacker News, where the post earned 83 points and generated 55 comments. Participants in the discussion debated the feasibility of enforcement, potential impacts on the open‑source ecosystem, and the legal precedents that might support or hinder such a system. While some commenters expressed concern that mandatory fees could deter adoption and stifle innovation, others noted that a structured compensation model could address the chronic underfunding of critical infrastructure projects. The conversation highlighted both the enthusiasm for new funding approaches and the caution exercised by developers wary of altering the foundational principles of open source.