The author argues that the current open‑source model inevitably leads to free usage without compensation and proposes a forced‑payment system, especially through package registries, to make users pay for open‑source software. Using an evolutionary‑biology analogy of hawks and doves, the piece explains why a mixed ecosystem of closed and open source persists and why a shift toward enforced monetisation could be a stable outcome.
Background
Sustaining open‑source projects has long been a challenge, with many developers relying on donations, sponsorships, or corporate backing, yet a large portion of commercial usage remains unpaid.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Sep 13, 2026 at 10:34 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10