OS.Cash FAQ

General Understanding

What is OS.Cash’s mission?

Use the power of open-source while protecting open-source developers.

What does OS.Cash do?

We offer a one-stop-shop, turn-key solution, turning successful open-source Programs into revenue for you.

What are OS.Cash’s value adds?

We provide infrastructure, administration, commercial and ongoing back-office operations. You focus on software development. We address:

Can I speak with you?

Yes. Definitely. We want to talk with you; email, phone, Signal, Telegram, Skype, Zoom, over lunch. Contact Us.

How This Works

How can I sign up?

Easy. If you received ssh-based instructions, get back into your terminal and sign up. If you did not, you can request an invitation. Otherwise just contact us:

How much does this cost you, the developer?

Nothing. There are no fees on your part. Like the Google Play and Apple App stores, we initially charge 30% of gross revenue, but unlike the app stores, the more revenue your software generates, the higher the percentage of revenue you keep. As much as 88%. Fees paid by Billion Dollar Businesses are based on a variety of factors, including close discussions with you, market conditions and practices, and the goal of your income maximization.

What does signing up mean?

We both promise to keep things confidential by signing a mutual NDA. Then sign a distribution agreement so we can work for you, our client.

What do I need to provide now?

Very little, in fact. Your legal name and your email. Once Billion Dollar Businesses start paying, payment instructions.

What if I change my mind?

Not a problem at all; you can terminate, penalty-free. Always. During the initial ten days, no prior notice is needed to terminate. After that, 90 days prior notice is needed to terminate.

Who is OS.Cash

Who are we?

We are a small number of open-source developers that have also managed software-driven and tech-driven business units. When our paths repeatedly crossed with Nestor Gounaris, a corporate and commercial lawyer with over twenty years’ experience in Asia Pacific (and who also teaches business law at several top ten US law schools) our visions quickly aligned.

Why do this?

We have been developing software for a couple of decades and have also been managing businesses for quite a while, too. As a result, we know the suffering of an unpaid open-source developer whose free software helps Billion Dollar Businesses make millions.

Doesn't open-source means whatever OSI says it means?

OSI was created in 1998 to promote, in part, the free and indiscriminate availability of open-source software to everyone; even Billion Dollar Businesses. Open-source development is undeniably powerful and efficient. Nevertheless, developers – flesh and blood humans who are the foundation of the open-source community – suffer needlessly. OS.Cash is a step forward: the power of open-source is used, while still protecting open-source developers.

How can talk with you, even meet with you?

Great! We want the same thing. You can email us, phone us (old school!), video chat with us on Signal, Telegram, Skype or Zoom, or even meet over lunch. Just contact us and we will follow up.

DETAILS OF OS.CASH LICENSING

What is OS.Cash licensing?

OS.Cash licensing is an alternative model to closed source, open core, BSL, donations, or dual licensing revenue models. Under OS.Cash, the source code is publicly available. Use of the software by everyone (except Billion Dollar Businesses) is free. Importantly, the source code reverts to a public domain-style license (e.g., MIT/BSD/Apache) if/when maintenance ends, or earlier, at the author’s sole discretion.

Are there any other licenses similar to OS.Cash?

No, at least, not that we know of. (Do you know of one? Let us know.) And, more certainly, none that combines this model of licensing with a turn-key service that resolves back-office operational, managerial and administrative matters to generate real money for real open-source developers. Perhaps the most similar licenses to the OS.Cash License are licenses like MySQL/MariaDB’s Business Source License (BSL).

What happens if I mix OS.Cash code with other code?

Until maintenance ends (or earlier at the author’s discretion), the final mixed code will be bound by the license of the OS.Cash code and the license of the other code. So for example, mixing OS.Cash code and GPL code might be difficult. After maintenance ends, the final mixed code will be bound by at least the origional License (e.g., MIT/BSD/Apache), along with whatever licensing requirements are mandated by the other code’s license.

Can I use OS.Cash code in the code base for my commercial, closed source product?

Yes, but you must either purchase a commercial license for the OS.Cash code or ensure that your product doesn’t exceed the OS.Cash’s grant of rights. (use by Billion Dollar Businesses)

If I modify the source code of software licensed under OS.Cash, can I redistribute my modified version under the MIT License?

No. Your modified version consists of the original Program (which is OS.Cash Licensed) and your modifications, which together constitute a derivative work of the original Program, also OS.Cash Licensed. The license does not grant you the right to redistribute under a permissive license like MIT.

I have written a code patch to a OS.Cash project and would like the OS.Cash vendor to maintain the code as part of the OS.Cash project. How do I contribute it?

License your code using the “BSD/MIT” license or dedicate it to the public domain. Code contributions under “BSD/MIT” are compatible with OS.Cash.

How is the OS.Cash different from dual GPL/commercial licensing?

When using dual licensing with GPL, companies must pay for a commercial license to use the software with their closed source code. From a vendor perspective, GPL dual licensing only works for infrastructure products that other companies want to deeply embed in their product. OS.Cash works for any kind of software product that has Billion Dollar Businesses users.

I still have some questions about how OS.Cash Licensing works; can we discuss them?

Yes! We would love to discuss your questions or comments.

REFERRALS

Can I refer Open-Source Programs to OS.Cash?

Yes, absolutely. When you successfully refer a Program, you can enjoy a $$ bonus $$! Referrals must be made through: 726566657272616c406f732e63617368 . (Common sense) terms apply and will be provided; just contact us.

Can I refer someone who is violating the OS.Cash Free License?

Yes, absolutely. But, to be clear, only a Billion Dollar Businesses can violate the payment terms of the license. Everyone else, and we mean everyone, uses the Program for free under the OS.Cash Free License. Submit an anonymous report to 737570706f7274406f732e63617368 . You can be paid $750 for a qualifying report, as well as earn a percentage of amounts subsequently collected from the violating Billion Dollar Businesses violator; (common sense) terms apply and will be provided.

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