Build: Funding open source via commercial licensing
Protect the code on which your software is built
We believe in the power of open source. The transparency it requires builds trust, especially in terms of creating secure communication software. But we also understand that not every company can open-source its code. That’s why we have created our Build subscription: providing numerous nifty benefits including a commercial license that lets you develop proprietary products on Matrix while supporting the ecosystem that makes your innovation possible. So whether you're creating your own Matrix-based communication solution, or something else which incorporates Matrix as a part of a larger project, you can use our technology to make it happen!
What’s at stake?
The power of Matrix comes from being a truly open standard for real-time communication software. Matrix is more than just a protocol; it’s the missing communication layer of the Web. It can function as a communication fabric for anything on (and off!) the internet, from instant messaging and video calling to IoT devices and virtual/augmented reality. However, its success is dependent on a thriving community and sustainable funding.
Until Dec 2023, our open source code was licensed under Apache 2.0. While fantastic in terms of flexibility, it risked the long-term health of the code on which vendors were building. To address this issue, we transitioned to AGPLv3 (“AGPL”). This kind of ‘copyleft’ license requires companies to open-source their modifications or opt for a commercial license through our Build subscription.
What Build gives you
If you are happy releasing your modifications and derived products as open source, then you don’t need Build. However, if releasing your modifications is a sticking point for you, you need to buy Build. Buying Build isn’t just a license agreement that exempts you from the commercial restrictions imposed by AGPL (see below for more on that), you also get a bunch of other benefits through the subscription:
- Freedom to innovate: use, modify and distribute your own Element-powered solutions free of AGPL copyleft restrictions.
- Stay secure and up to date: benefit directly from security updates keeping your commercial product stable and secure, without the burden of maintaining everything in-house.
- Peace of mind for the future: protect your software while supporting the open source code it relies on.
Why do we offer this?
Spoiler alert: it is so that when your lawyers tell you there’s “a huge copyleft risk”, we’ve got you covered.
AGPLv3 allows commercial use but requires companies to either open source any customisations to the code or alternatively purchase a license that exempts them from this obligation. This sustains the community and bolsters its collective growth. However, for those unable to give back in this way, our Build subscription ensures you can protect your work while supporting the ecosystem.
As an analogy: if Element developed padlocks, the technical drawings of the internal lock mechanisms would be openly available for others to inspect and scrutinise. If another company wanted to use these drawings for commercial gain, should they support the project that created the initial drawings? They could do this by either providing their innovations (i.e. their modified technical drawings) back to the wider community or, if they can’t do that, could they provide funding to the community that brought them the original drawings…? Back in the world of open source, we transferred our code from Apache 2.0 to AGPLv3 because we’re trying to stop a situation where vendors can damage the overall health of the ecosystem.
Matrix projects governed by AGPLv3
If you’re already involved in some of the technical aspects of Matrix-based communication you will recognise some (all?!) of the names below. For anyone who isn't familiar, these are individual components of the Matrix open source implementations from Element. If you’re building (or planning to build) software that incorporates the following, you have to decide between offering any source code modifications back to the community or acquiring a Build subscription.
Strong foundations
Open source thrives when everyone contributes to the overall mission. But when it’s not possible to contribute code, Build ensures your business can grow while Matrix continues to evolve.
A Build subscription provides funding that we use to support The Matrix.org Foundation and all of the open source code belonging to the Matrix project as a whole. This value chain is simple yet highly effective.
Get in touch with our experts to get Build and become a contributing part of the ecosystem today. Thanks for coming with us on this journey. Let’s build a fair and sustainable future together.