The Open Source Initiative Supports the Open Source Pledge

As businesses rely more heavily on Open Source software (OSS), the strain on maintainers to provide timely updates and security patches continues to grow – often without fair compensation for their crucial work. Recent high-profile security incidents like XZ and Log4Shell have put a spotlight on the security challenges developers face against a backdrop of burnout that has reached an all-time high. 

To help address this imbalance, the Open Source Initiative (OSI) supports the Open Source Pledge, launched today by Sentry and partners to support maintainers and inspire a shift toward a healthier work-life balance, and more robust software security practices. The Pledge is a commitment from member companies to pay Open Source maintainers and organizations meaningfully in support of a more sustainable maintainer ecosystem and a reduction of flare-ups of high-profile security incidents.

This Pledge is an attempt to address a problem that has long existed within the Open Source ecosystem. Many companies have built their businesses on top of Open Source software, benefiting from the contributions of maintainers taking them for granted. While they’ve reaped the rewards, the burden has been placed on unpaid or underpaid developers.

It is essential that companies recognize their role in sustaining the ecosystem that powers their innovations. By taking the Pledge, companies have one more instrument to commit to supporting an ecosystem of maintainers and organizations, ensuring the long-term health of the Open Source projects they rely on.

In order to qualify, the projects that companies pledge to should meet the Open Source Definition. You can join the Open Source Pledge by donating to the Open Source Initiative or contacting us to become a sponsor.

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