Open Source Business Models
Posted by Anders Vindberg
in Master's Thesis
on the 24 Jul. 2006 (13,540 views).
As part of my thesis on Open Source Firefox web browser, I am compounding a list of Open Source Business Models in order to identify how Firefox fits the pack. Since I was not able to fit Firefox in Aaron Schiffs list I have added the Ad-supported model. Please add a comment if you think that a particular Open Source Business Model is wrong or missing. Thanks.
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Name
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Business Model
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Example
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Loss-leader/Market positioner
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Use open source software to maintain a market position for
a related proprietary software product.
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Netscape’s open source Mozilla web browser and proprietary
server software.
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Widget frosting
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Sell hardware with open source driver software
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Apple’s MacOS X
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Give away the recipe, open a restaurant
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Distribute open source software and sell service and
support contracts.
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Red Hat
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Accessorising
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Sell accessories for open source software such as
documentation or proprietary add-ons.
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Aladdin’s Ghostscript
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Free the software, sell the brand
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Sell other developers a brand that certifies their
implementation of your open source technologies is compatible with all others
who use the brand.
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Sun’s StarOffice
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Free the software, sell the content
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Develop an open source product that receives proprietary
content that the firm sells
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N/A
|
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Ad-supported
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Direct users to a third-party service and reap some of
their revenues in return
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Mozilla Firefox and Google partnership
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Source: Adapted from Aaron Schiff (2002), The Economics of Open Source Software. Originally adapted from Raymond E.S. (2000), The magic cauldron.
Specifically discussed at http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?biz.5.367424.0