Answers to Frequently Asked Questions The Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) represents an important first step in defining Open Source in an AI context. Because AI systems differ fundamentally from…| Open Source Initiative
The schedule for the Deep Dive: Data Governance virtual conference is now live. Taking place October 1–3, this premier three-day event will bring together industry leaders and world-class experts to explore the latest advancements in Data Governance and Open Source AI.| Open Source Initiative
KubeCon China 2024 was a whirlwind of innovation, community and technical deep dives. As it often happens at these community events, I was blown away by the energy, enthusiasm and sheer amount of knowledge being shared.| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is running a series of stories about a few of the people involved in the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) co-design process. Today, we are featuring Rahmat Akintola, one of the volunteers who has helped to shape and are shaping the OSAID.| Open Source Initiative
The Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) Annual Members Meeting was an inspiring gathering of innovators, developers and advocates working to create a thriving ecosystem for Digital Public Goods (DPGs).| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) proudly participated in the Open Source Congress 2024, held from August 25-27 in Beijing, China. This event was a gathering for key individuals in the Open Source nonprofit community, aiming to foster collaboration, innovation, and strategic development within the ecosystem. Here are some highlights from OSI’s participation at the event.| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is running a series of stories about a few of the people involved in the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) co-design process. Today, we are featuring Tarunima Prabhakar, one of the volunteers who has helped to shape and are shaping the OSAID.| Open Source Initiative
At the 10th anniversary of Nerdearla, one of the largest Open Source conferences in Latin America, Mer Joyce, Co-Design Facilitator of the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID), delivered a key presentation titled "Defining Open Source AI".| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative in collaboration with GitHub and SAP presented ClearlyDefined at SOSS Fusion.| Open Source Initiative
A few weeks ago I attended Open Source Summit Europe 2024, an event organized by the Linux Foundation, that brought together brilliant developers, technologists and leaders from all over the world, reinforcing what Open Source is truly about—collaboration, innovation and community.| Open Source Initiative
Growing the impact of Open Source around the world The Open Source Initiative is the global nonprofit building the future powered by open collaboration, transparency and innovation. Supported by the…| Open Source Initiative
In addition to joining a number of other organizations in responding to the NTIA’s Request for Comment on, OSI has provided its organizational response to the call for public comment, centering its encouragement on the societal benefits of open models and emphasizing the need to complete the development of a recognized definition of the concept of “Open Source AI” as fundamental to effective policy-making regarding Artificial Intelligence.| Open Source Initiative
The OSI has put together a new resource to educate policymakers (state and federal) in the United States about Open Source software as they consider various AI policies.| Open Source Initiative
Members Newsletter – August 2025 This summer, let's challenge ourselves to embrace a radical concept: strategic project stasis for the sake of long-term health. Imagine a summer vacation for your codebase. Not abandonment, but a deliberate period of low maintenance and a reduction in scope, rather than a constant push for "more."| Open Source Initiative
The OSI explains the areas of the “AI Action Plan” that may impact the Open Source community, in particular a specific section titled: “Encourage Open Source and Open Weight-AI.”, and highlights recommendations to watch as the administration moves forward with implementation.| Open Source Initiative
A Linux Foundation case study on using cdsbom to enhance SPDX SBOMs with license data from ClearlyDefined for better compliance and transparency.| Open Source Initiative
We’ve seen that several companies have abandoned their original dedication to the open source community by switching their core products from an open source license, one approved by the Open…| Open Source Initiative
The Eclipse Foundation and the Open Source Initiative (OSI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on promoting the interest of the open source community in the implementation of regulatory initiatives on Open Source Artificial Intelligence (OSAI).| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source AI Definition first Release Candidate has been published and collaboration continues online. Read what changes have been made, what to do next and how to get involved.| Open Source Initiative
Highlighting key conversations at the latest COSCUP focused on democratizing AI and exploring how public sectors and enterprises adopt Open Source technologies: how advocates in East Asia are addressing critical challenges in these Open Source landscapes.| Open Source Initiative
"Open source" (no hyphen) is a lexicalized compound noun which is no longer transparent with respect to its meaning (i.e., open source is not just about being source-viewable, but also about defining user freedoms) which can then be further compounded (with for example “open source license”)| Open Source Initiative
Some people believe that full unfettered access to all training data is paramount. This group argues that anything less than all the data would compromise the Open Source principles, forever…| Open Source Initiative
About Carlo is a lawyer based in Milan, Italy, practicing IT law, active for almost 25 years in advocacy and activism for digital freedoms. He has been involved in the…| Open Source Initiative
The board of directors is the ultimate authority responsible for the Open Source Initiative as a California public benefit corporation, with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. Most of the directors are elected…| Open Source Initiative
About the Open Source Initiative As steward of the Open Source Definition, we set the foundation for the open source software ecosystem. The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a California…| Open Source Initiative
Members Newsletter – July 2025 In June, OSI staff and board members took our “we’ve got your back” commitment on the road—connecting directly with the global Open Source community to listen, inform, and advocate. From New York to Paris, we saw firsthand the growing momentum behind our shared mission—and the work still ahead.| Open Source Initiative
The UN’s Open Source Week in NYC brought people together from around the world to discuss the promise of Open Source and how it can be leveraged to build sustainable digital public goods and infrastructure. The week included side events focused on openness and AI and two full days at the UN dedicated to Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs) and Digital Public Infrastructure.| Open Source Initiative
We welcome LinuxFr.org as an OSI Affiliate and look forward to collaborating with them to support our shared commitment to Open Source. Their participation strengthens our international network and underscores the importance of nurturing Open Source cultures in all languages and regions.| Open Source Initiative
The EU has just started a review of European public procurement rules, and have asked for input on potential changes to the rules. The OSI has responded advocating for changes to dismantle these barriers and ensure Open Source solutions are fairly considered.| Open Source Initiative
The EU seeks to revise ENISA’s mandate by updating the Cybersecurity Act. The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has provided feedback on what changes can be made to keep Europe safer and advance Open Source.| Open Source Initiative
Supporting maintainers and protecting the Open Source ecosystem How the OSI supports maintainers OSI Approved Licenses We provide a venue for the community to discuss Open Source licenses and we…| Open Source Initiative
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is a proposal for a European law that aims to drive the safety and integrity of software of all kinds by extending the “CE” self-attestation mark to software. And it may harm Open Source.| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is excited to announce the availability of a new API service providing access to the canonical list of OSI Approved Licenses®. This service is fully public and free to use.| Open Source Initiative
The Vivatech panel made one thing clear: Open Source AI isn't just a matter of sharing code—it's about power, trust, and sovereignty. France and Europe must double down on the principles that foster permissionless innovation and embrace European culture and values.| Open Source Initiative
The OSI has endorsed a proposal from Open Forum Europe to create an EU Sovereign Tech Fund to support maintenance and development of key Open Source software projects.| Open Source Initiative
version 1.0 Preamble Why we need Open Source Artificial Intelligence (AI) Open Source has demonstrated that massive benefits accrue to everyone after removing the barriers to learning, using, sharing and…| Open Source Initiative
Keeping Europe safe and advancing Open Source: OSI provides feedback to the EU Cybersecurity Act| Open Source Initiative
What’s Open Source AI? Following the same idea behind Open Source Software,an Open Source AI is a system made available under terms that grant users the freedoms to: Benefits of Open Source AI…| Open Source Initiative
Deep Dive: Data Governance brings world-class experts together| Open Source Initiative
Members Newsletter – June 2025 May was a full immersion into some of the largest components of the Open Source ecosystem, from maintainers to founders.| Open Source Initiative
The Open Forum for AI (OFAI) and OSI submitted feedback to the White House in response to its request for information on the development of a 2025 National AI R&D Strategic Plan.| Open Source Initiative
The OSI is proud to stand with the “End of 10” campaign—a community-driven effort to turn the looming end of Windows 10 support into an opportunity for freedom, sustainability, and digital empowerment.| Open Source Initiative
My first big open source project was urllib3. Today it’s used by almost every Python user and receives about a billion downloads each month, but it started in 2007 out of necessity.| Open Source Initiative
OSI Approved Licenses Open source licenses are licenses that comply with the Open Source Definition – in brief, they allow software to be freely used, modified, and shared. To be…| Open Source Initiative
Building digital public goods: Reflections from UN Open Source Week 2025| Open Source Initiative
White House releases AI Action Plan, includes Open Source| Open Source Initiative
Open Source Founders Summit (#05F525), held May 19–20 in Paris, brought together a vibrant community of Open Source entrepreneurs, builders, and advocates for two days of deep, engaging conversations about what it takes to create sustainable, successful Open Source companies.| Open Source Initiative
Case study: enhancing SBOMs with cdsbom at the Linux Foundation| Open Source Initiative
OSI at the Open Source Founders Summit: supporting entrepreneurs to build a business with Open Source| Open Source Initiative
Members Newsletter – May 2025 May is Maintainer Month—a time to recognize the essential work of those who build, fix, review, and secure the code that the world relies on every day. At OSI, we know maintainers are the heartbeat of Open Source. That’s why we’re lifting up their stories, sharing ways to get involved, and making space to say thank you. If you know a maintainer, take a moment this month to let them know their work matters.| Open Source Initiative
The Institute for Progress (IFP), a non-partisan U.S. think tank focused on innovation policy, announced a new project that highlights responses to the Trump Administration’s request for public comment on what should be included in a national “AI Action Plan.” OSI’s comment with the Apereo Foundation was one of 33 comments highlighted in an initial release of IFP’s database.| Open Source Initiative
Maintainer Month returns this May, and the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is proud to join GitHub and a global community of contributors in honoring the individuals who steward and sustain Open Source projects. In 2025, Maintainer Month enters its fourth year with a clear and urgent theme: Securing Open Source.| Open Source Initiative
We're excited to highlight the Certified Open Source Developer for Enterprise (CODE) certification, led by the TODO Group and Linux Foundation Training & Certification, with the Open Source Initiative (OSI) contributing as a supporting partner.| Open Source Initiative
The OSI is joining forces with fellow content partners Open Knowledge Foundation (OKF) and the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) to support OpenForum Academy (OFA) Symposium 2025, taking place November 18–19 at the FGV Law School in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.| Open Source Initiative
Each year, the State of Open Source Report offers a valuable pulse check on the global Open Source ecosystem—and the 2025 edition is no exception. Produced by Perforce OpenLogic, in partnership with the Eclipse Foundation and the Open Source Initiative, this report uncovers the latest trends, tensions, and transformations shaping how Open Source is adopted, managed, and scaled in organizations of all sizes.| Open Source Initiative
For AI to be truly Open Source, it must uphold the same principles that have defined Open Source software for over two decades. There is no “80% open” or “open enough.” The freedom to use, study, modify, and share isn’t negotiable. It’s either there, or it isn’t.| Open Source Initiative
In 2024, the European Union approved the Artificial Intelligence Act, the world's first legal framework for AI. Part of the law mandated the creation of a Code of Practice for General Purpose AI for AI developers. The OSI applied to take part in the drafting of these rules, but when the first draft arrived, we discovered issues that would make it impossible for Open Source AI projects to comply. Here’s how we fixed them.| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) board of directors validated the results of the polls, confirmed Carlo Piana as director and welcomed Ruth Suele, recommended by Affiliates, and McCoy Smith recommended by Individual supporters, as new directors.| Open Source Initiative
Copyright (C) 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license document, but changing it is not allowed. Preamble The GNU…| Open Source Initiative
Note: This license has also been called the “New BSD License” or “Modified BSD License”. See also the 2-clause BSD License. Copyright Redistribution and use in source…| Open Source Initiative
Copyright Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the “Software”), to deal in the…| Open Source Initiative
The Open Source AI Definition v0.0.9 has been released and collaboration continues at in-person events and in the online forums. Read what changes have been made, what to do next and how to get involved.| Open Source Initiative
Introduction Open source doesn’t just mean access to the source code. The distribution terms of open source software must comply with the following criteria: 1. Free Redistribution The license shall…| Open Source Initiative
