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I’m building an Open Source multi-tenant email newsletter tool [1] and the project is entirely AGPLv3 licensed. I have automatic builds from the `main` branch t

I’m building an Open Source multi-tenant email newsletter tool [1] and the project is entirely AGPLv3 licensed. I have automatic builds from the `main` branch that I deploy to the SaaS version while public Docker images are available only for tagged releases. There is currently no difference between the self-hosted and the SaaS version, but I am planning two things: 1) An env variable `IS_SELF_HOSTED` which, when set to `false`, toggles certain features like billing (currently enabled via a separate env variable and theoretically available to self-hosters) and includes hard-coded stuff like a footer with links to the official project website and our ToS. 2) Add a registration feature for self-hosters who make a donation. I haven’t fully planned out this feature, but if a self-hosted instance is registered by a paid supporter, it will most likely remove a call for becoming a supporter (that is yet to be added) or give them a supporter badge. Choosing the AGPLv3 has been partially inspired by Plausible’s very successful model [2]. They’re also using a `SELFHOST` env variable to differentiate between their "Enterprise Edition" and the "Community Edition" [3]. [1] https://www.keila.io https://www.keila.io [2] https://plausible.io/blog/open-source-licenses https://plausible.io/blog/open-source-licenses [3] https://github.com/plausible/analytics/blob/baa99652f612f50bbb63282b42737ced93b6d483/config/runtime.exs#L243 https://github.com/plausible/analytics/blob/baa99652f612f50b...

anonu 2y ago
Afero, i feel, is a hindrance to adoption, especially in for profit companies where IP matters.
- MoOmer 2y ago
  That’s by design; those corporations can purchase an enterprise license - and this is commonly the route desired!
- pentacent_hq 2y ago
  I see the AGPL as a way to ensure user freedom and as a way to make sure those who profit from our work give back to the community. If someone is so concerned about their so-called "software patents" to the extent that they don't want to deploy their own instance of the AGPL code, they are more than welcome to use our SaaS offer.

anonu 2y ago

Afero, i feel, is a hindrance to adoption, especially in for profit companies where IP matters.

MoOmer 2y ago
That’s by design; those corporations can purchase an enterprise license - and this is commonly the route desired!
pentacent_hq 2y ago
I see the AGPL as a way to ensure user freedom and as a way to make sure those who profit from our work give back to the community. If someone is so concerned about their so-called "software patents" to the extent that they don't want to deploy their own instance of the AGPL code, they are more than welcome to use our SaaS offer.