Open Source: Illusion or Reality?

This article delves into the complexities surrounding the definition and practice of 'open source'. While the Open Source Initiative (OSI) certification serves as a crucial benchmark, the cultural aspects of open source—transparency and governance—are equally vital. Android, despite its open-source code, exemplifies the blurred lines due to Google's control and commercial strategies. Companies often modify licenses for commercial gain, leveraging the 'open source' brand to circumvent regulations. Similar issues plague open-source AI projects like DeepSeek and Llama, raising questions about their true openness. While expanding the definition to encompass the spirit of open source is debated, the license-based definition remains a clear and practical standard.