The software industry confronts a defining moment. Open Source Software, as delineated by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), has long been a cornerstone of technological advancement, enabling collaborative triumphs like the Linux kernel and the Apache web server. However, its open-access ethos harbors a persistent flaw: exploitation. Open-source contributors often see their work co-opted by tech giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS), which leverages projects such as MongoDB to generate billions without reinvestment (Statista, 2023).
This dynamic has spurred the emergence of alternative software licensing frameworks: Fair Code licensing and Fair Source. These models strive to balance the openness of traditional open source with safeguards against misuse and provisions for sustainable developer compensation. Fair Code, exemplified by the Open Compensation Token License (OCTL) from License Token, introduces ethical constraints, enabling software monetization —often enhanced by blockchain technology—to ensure creators are remunerated while maintaining accessibility. Fair Source, as embodied in Sentry’s Functional Source License (FSL), prioritizes transparency with restricted usage, delaying full openness to secure maintainer revenue. These approaches diverge from the OSI’s paradigm, which permits unrestricted commercial use under licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL) yet prohibits mandatory compensation beyond voluntary contributions—a policy that has sparked debate over its alignment with corporate interests.
The stakes are significant. The Linux Foundation’s 2023 sustainability report highlights the precarious state of open source, with underfunding and developer burnout undermining its future. GitHub’s 2023 Octoverse report reveals that 40% of open-source contributors face exhaustion, and 70% of projects falter within a year. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence systems like GitHub Copilot exploit public codebases without recompense (The Verge, 2022), and cloud providers transform freely shared work into profit centers. This inequity contrasts sharply with the Berne Convention, which guarantees artists royalties for decades (WIPO, 2025), raising critical questions about fairness in digital creation.
At Iunera, we’ve examined parallel challenges, such as leveraging Big Data for urban innovation (Big Data Analytics Solutions for Urban Transport Systems) and optimizing supply chains with advanced analytics (Supply Chain Optimization with Big Data Analytics). These efforts underscore the power of technology when supported by equitable frameworks. Yet, software licensing remains foundational. The OSI’s opaque funding—bolstered by corporations profiting from open-source exploitation—casts doubt on its neutrality, particularly as governments adopt its definitions for policy (Eghbal, 2020). Fair Code and Fair Source, resonating with Richard Stallman’s 2002 vision while adapting to contemporary demands, propose viable alternatives.
Blockchain innovations, such as those from NFT License Token, further promise to tether code to ownership and compensation in immutable ways, aligning with emerging trends in decentralized systems (Big Data Trends in Licensing, 2025).
But what is the best option to get out of the donation based Open Source exploitation trap where you surrender all your state given copyrights?
Here, we just scratched the and recommend to read a comparative analysis of open source, fair code, and fair source software licensing models and their Implications here to explore the data-driven insights shaping software’s trajectory.
At iunera, we view these shifts as essential for technologists, policymakers, and enterprises navigating the digital frontier.
Can we forge a licensing ecosystem where innovation and equity coexist?
The answer hinges on reimagining the foundations we build upon.
Let us know what you think.