Open Source My Ass! -- The "Open Source" Label is a Marketing Trap, Not a Promise of Freedom
Open Source My Ass! -- The "Open Source" Label is a Marketing Trap, Not a Promise of Freedom
We need to be clear about what is happening here. The tech industry has successfully hijacked the term "open source" to confuse the public. They use Open Source as a marketing buzzword to suggest freedom, while delivering proprietary control. This is not about free software (which is about justice and user freedom); it is about the Open Source Initiative’s pragmatic, values-neutral approach that often ignores the ethical stakes.
Richard Stallman and the GNU project (https://www.gnu.org) have long warned that "open source" can be deceptive. It focuses on the development model (collaborative coding) rather than the user’s rights. When a company like Tencent or any other vendor says they are "Open Source," they are often lying by omission or using the trademark to gain popularity while imposing strict, proprietary-like restrictions.
Why "Open Source" is Often a Lie
The term Open Source (see GNU's "Words to Avoid" for why this label is problematic) implies openness, but it doesn’t guarantee the four essential freedoms of free software:
- Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
- Freedom 1: The freedom to study how the program works and change it.
- Freedom 2: The freedom to redistribute copies.
- Freedom 3: The freedom to redistribute copies of your modified versions.
Many "Open Source" licenses (like the Apache 2.0, BSD, MIT, or proprietary "open core" licenses) allow these freedoms, but many don’t. The "Open Source" label is often used to market licenses that are more restrictive than proprietary ones, or at least as restrictive, because they lack the "copyleft" force of the GNU GPL.
The Deception of "Open Source" vs. Free Software
- Free Software is an ethical movement. It asks: "Does this software respect the user's freedom?"
- Open Source is a development methodology. It asks: "Can we build better software by sharing the source?"
The problem is that corporations use the Open Source label to get the best of both worlds. They get the free labor of the community (who fix bugs, add features, and test for free) while retaining the right to monetize, restrict, or control the software in ways that benefit them, not the users. They use the trademark to confuse users into thinking they have rights they actually don't.
Examples of Corporate Deception Using "Open Source"
The "Open Core" Model:
Companies like MongoDB, Elastic, and Confluent (Kafka) release their core software under "Open Source" licenses. However, they often change licenses to "BSL" (Business Source License) or "SSPL" (Server Side Public License) for newer, more popular versions. They market the initial release as "Open Source" to gain adoption, then switch to a proprietary-like license to control their customers. This is deceptive. It’s not free software because you don’t have the freedom to modify and redistribute the latest version under the same terms.The "Proprietary" Open Source License:
Look at licenses like the "Google Public License" or various "Community Licenses." They may claim to be "Open Source" compliant with the Open Source Definition, but they include restrictions on patents, or require attribution in ways that are burdensome, or limit the fields of use. These are proprietary licenses because they grant permission at the licensor’s discretion, not because they are inherent rights of the user.Cloud Provider Control:
Companies like AWS, Google, and Microsoft release "Open Source" versions of their proprietary tools. However, they often keep the real product proprietary, or release the "Open Source" version with limited functionality. They use the Open Source label to dominate the ecosystem, forcing users to build on their platform, which they then control via proprietary APIs and services. This is a predatory strategy masked as openness.
Why It Matters
The distinction is crucial. If you believe something is free software, you expect it to be free from corporate control. If you believe it is "Open Source," you might be fooled into thinking you have the same rights, when you actually have a license that can be revoked or restricted by the corporation.
The Open Source Initiative’s trademark is a marketing tool for corporations, not a guarantee of freedom for users. Free software is about freedom. Open Source is often about profit.
Jean Louis, Free Software Supporter
Hi, Tencent Hy-MT2 is now under Apache License 2.0 — maximum freedom for research, commercial use, fine-tuning, and derivatives.
这就是自由的模样——欢迎来到光明的一边 👏
腾讯团队：
请允许我欣然认错，并真诚地表达感谢。
当我写下“开源个屁（Open Source My Ass）”时，我是出于对某种现象的愤怒。太多公司高扬“开源”的旗帜，却将真正的控制权牢牢锁死。你们本可以故技重施，但没有。
对 Hy-MT2 采用 Apache 2.0 许可证并非陷阱，而是真正的诚意。研究、商业使用、微调、衍生作品——没有套路，没有“开源核心（open core）”的偷梁换柱，细枝末节中也没有隐藏的商业陷阱。
这可不是把“开源”当作一个流行词汇来炒作。这是真正的自由——理查德·斯托曼（Richard Stallman）和 GNU 项目自这个行业尚有一半尚未诞生时就开始为之奋斗的那种自由。
所以，谢谢你们。我是认真的。
你们为其他仍在玩弄“社区版但并非真正开源”游戏的厂商树立了标杆。如果更多公司能效仿你们的做法，我就少了很多可吐槽的。
欢迎来到真正尊重用户的一方。希望这仅仅是腾讯的开端。
—— 让·路易（Jean Louis）
自由软件支持者
（没错——我会更新我的内心笔记。你们值得这份认可。）
Now that’s what freedom looks like – welcome to the good side 👏
Hey Tencent team,
Consider me pleasantly corrected – and genuinely grateful.
When I wrote “Open Source My Ass,” I was angry at a pattern. Too many companies wave the “open source” flag while keeping real control locked down. You could have done the same. You didn’t.
Apache 2.0 on Hy-MT2 isn’t a trap. It’s the real deal. Research, commercial use, fine-tuning, derivatives – no tricks, no “open core” bait-and-switch, no proprietary rug pull hidden in the fine print.
That’s not “open source” as a buzzword. That’s freedom – the kind Richard Stallman and the GNU project have been fighting for since before half this industry existed.
So thank you. Seriously.
You just raised the bar for every other vendor out there still playing the “community edition but not really” game. If more companies followed your lead here, I’d have a lot less to rant about.
Welcome to the side that actually respects users. Hope this is just the beginning for Tencent.
– Jean Louis
Free Software Supporter
(and yes – I’ll update my mental notes. You’ve earned it.)