Software Licenses Belong on the Blockchain
And here’s how the transformation will happen
Sharing economies and other technologically enabled positive sum games, where benefiting doesn’t come at the expense of another, are redefining what it means to live and work in the digital age. This article will use these networks as a lens to explore a new system for sharing code packages.
As the leaders of the sharing economy, Airbnb and Uber have built networks that provide massive value by letting suppliers retain the autonomy to list what and when they want. These networks also make it super easy for the suppliers (i.e. homeowners and drivers) to list their goods and services.
For example, turning a spare room into income has been possible for quite some time, but doing so prior to Airbnb required running a bed and breakfast business, which involves legal, marketing, and other efforts that are core competencies.
Naturally, as suppliers in a market shift their interactions, new properties emerge at the network level. Specifically, well designed sharing networks result in a greater diversity of supply and ephemeralization, the technological mega-trend of doing more with less.
Applying this lens to code packages, it’s certainly possible for developers to sell commercial licenses and / or exceptions the GPL today. Sidekiq.org is an example of the old school bed and breakfast business model applied to code modules. They’ve set up a business, website, and shoulder all the responsibility of driving traffic.
This understanding motivated us to create Deco.Network, a decentralized market for code modules. By way of analogy, AirBnB made it possible for people to earn extra income from their extra rooms without setting up a new business. Deco.Network enables module and package developers to sell licenses and license exceptions without setting up a new businesses. Our aim is to help increase the total supply of application building blocks by enabling module developers to easily list and license their packages.
Additionally, Deco.Network is decentralized by design so module creators and other network participants can curate the supply side of the market and be rewarded for their participation. Module creators and application developers can get started by signing up for the alpha net here or reading more here.
Participants on Deco.Network have an opportunity to redefine what work means as a developer, and have a measurable effect on the rate of global collaboration. Join the the pursuit to make the world a more efficient and reliable place by joining our Telegram here.
