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AGPL doesn't allow you to say "I want AWS to pay me if they use my software". As long as AWS abides the rules of the AGPL they can use your software as much as

by hannob 6y ago

AGPL doesn't allow you to say "I want AWS to pay me if they use my software". As long as AWS abides the rules of the AGPL they can use your software as much as they like and create offerings based on it.

GordonS 6y ago
It's not only about money though, it's also about megacorps extending the code but keeping that code to themselves, not contributing back.
- brandmeyer 6y ago
  AGPL does help with this. An early example was when Google's search interface answered unit conversion queries using GNU Units. They fixed a bug internally and didn't flow the bug back upstream. Since they weren't distributing Units, but were only executing it as a service, their behavior was strictly conforming to the letter of the GPL. The failure to respect the spirit of the GPL was a factor in AGPL's development. AGPL code is strictly forbidden for use inside the company now, partially because they consider private modifications to open-source software to be a competitive advantage.
wmf 6y ago
This is debated. Some people say that AWS will never touch AGPL software which accomplishes the goal of not getting AWSed while remaining OSI certified.
- chipotle_coyote 6y ago
  AWS specifically might not, but I can say with some certainty that cloud providers can host AGPL software. It's not impossible that Compose (the now IBM-owned cloud database hosting company) pulled in more revenue from RethinkDB than RethinkDB, Inc., did.
  - wmf 6y ago
    Yeah, it's a matter of risk. Rightly or wrongly you could get hit with a lawsuit that says "we have infected your entire control plane; open-source it or die" and every cloud provider has to weigh that for themselves.
    - smichel17 6y ago
      To be fair, thigh, when the cloud provider has deeper pockets than the developer of the AGPL'd software, that means something different.
shp0ngle 6y ago
Can AWS abide by the rules of AGPL though? If they don't opensource their modifications and their whole AWS system?

by hannob 6y ago

GordonS 6y ago

It's not only about money though, it's also about megacorps extending the code but keeping that code to themselves, not contributing back.

brandmeyer 6y ago
AGPL does help with this. An early example was when Google's search interface answered unit conversion queries using GNU Units. They fixed a bug internally and didn't flow the bug back upstream. Since they weren't distributing Units, but were only executing it as a service, their behavior was strictly conforming to the letter of the GPL. The failure to respect the spirit of the GPL was a factor in AGPL's development. AGPL code is strictly forbidden for use inside the company now, partially because they consider private modifications to open-source software to be a competitive advantage.

wmf 6y ago

This is debated. Some people say that AWS will never touch AGPL software which accomplishes the goal of not getting AWSed while remaining OSI certified.

chipotle_coyote 6y ago
AWS specifically might not, but I can say with some certainty that cloud providers can host AGPL software. It's not impossible that Compose (the now IBM-owned cloud database hosting company) pulled in more revenue from RethinkDB than RethinkDB, Inc., did.
- wmf 6y ago
  Yeah, it's a matter of risk. Rightly or wrongly you could get hit with a lawsuit that says "we have infected your entire control plane; open-source it or die" and every cloud provider has to weigh that for themselves.
  - smichel17 6y ago
    To be fair, thigh, when the cloud provider has deeper pockets than the developer of the AGPL'd software, that means something different.

shp0ngle 6y ago

Can AWS abide by the rules of AGPL though? If they don't opensource their modifications and their whole AWS system?