Funambol Helps New AGPLv3 Open Source License Gain Formal OSI Approval
Mar 14th, 02:33 UTC
Leader in mobile open source adopts and helps ratify new license that closes ASP loophole
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 13, 2008 - Funambol, the leading provider of Mobile 2.0 messaging software powered by open source, today announced that the AGPLv3 has received formal approval by the Open Source Initiative (OSI). Funambol led the process of the license's approval by the OSI after adopting AGPLv3 in November. It was the first company to adopt the license, which closes the "ASP loophole".
The AGPLv3 was released by the Free Software Foundation last June as an addition to the GNU General Public License, which is the world's most popular free license and accounts for almost three quarters of all licensing of free software packages. Unlike GPLv3, the AGPLv3 license enforces copyleft when software is distributed as a service (SaaS), which is a fundamental requirement when considering how consumers and enterprises purchase and use software today.
"We created the Honest Public License to address the ASP loophole, but always said we would be first in line to adopt the AGPLv3," said Fabrizio Capobianco, CEO of Funambol. "For companies committed to open source, this license is very important as many applications today are delivered through the SaaS model. Funambol was happy to take the leadership role and help the AGPLv3 receive formal OSI approval and legitimize the license for other open source companies to adopt."
Funambol was the first open source company to adopt the AGPLv3 last November and has since been leading the process of getting the AGPLv3 through the OSI ratification process. WaveMaker Software also recently announced its adoption of the AGPLv3 for the new version of their WaveMaker Visual Ajax Studio, a tool for building database-driven Ajax Web applications without having to write complex code.
"For us, the AGPLv3 license made perfect sense," said Christopher Keene, CEO of WaveMaker. "Our enterprise Web 2.0 software requires the SaaS distribution model and the AGPLv3 makes certain that copyleft will be protected. Version 3 of the AGPL ultimately protects the primary reason for open source's success - ensuring people can contribute code and their ideas back to the community."
In order for a license to receive formal OSI approval it must undergo the OSI's License Review Process. Funambol submitted the license to the review board last fall. The purpose of this process is to ensure that all licenses and software labeled as "open source" conform to the standard open source definition held by the OSI to standardize and discourage duplicative licenses.
"AGPLv3 is a useful tool for developers of, for example, web applications who are seeking to ensure perpetual respect for end-users' freedoms. SFLC believes there are many development projects that would benefit from considering the use of AGPLv3, and we welcome the OSI's decision," said Eben Moglen, Director of the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC).
About Funambol
Funambol provides mobile 2.0 messaging software powered by open source. The company is the leading provider of open source push email and PIM sync solutions for the mass market. Funambol open source has been downloaded 2,000,000 times by tens of thousands of developers and users in 200 countries. The commercial version of Funambol has been deployed at service providers, mobile operators, portals, device manufacturers and ISVs including customers such as 1&1, Earthlink and CA, Inc. (formerly Computer Associates). Funambol is headquartered in Redwood City, CA with an R&D center in Italy. See www.funambol.com.
(Submitted by Sharon Smith of )
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