Terraform's License Transition: A Concern for Open Source Advocates

Introduction

Terraform, developed by HashiCorp, has become synonymous with infrastructure as code (IaC). Its name often echoes in the corridors of tech companies, startups, and open-source communities. However, HashiCorp's recent announcement of shifting Terraform's license from MPL 2.0 to the Business Source License (BSL) v1.1 has led to much debate in tech circles. While many corporate decisions are based on protecting intellectual property and monetary interests, the broader community perspective cannot be overlooked.

A Glimpse Into HashiCorp's Perspective

HashiCorp's rationale behind this move revolves around the challenges they face in a market where pure Open Source Software (OSS) models are being utilized by vendors for commercial goals without adequate contributions in return. Adopting BSL, they believe, offers a means to safeguard their commercial pursuits while continuing their commitment to the community.

Diving Deeper into The Implications

A Shift from Open Source Ideology

BSL, while source-available, is not in the purest sense, an open-source license. This alteration could be seen as HashiCorp distancing itself from the core principles that define open-source, potentially making the community feel sidelined.

Impact on Innovation

BSL brings with it commercial use restrictions. This has raised concerns regarding the potential stifling of innovation. Such limitations might deter developers from creating new solutions built atop HashiCorp's products, fearing legal repercussions.

The Community's Response

This licensing shift might lead to the alienation of the very community that fueled Terraform's growth. There's a palpable feeling that the company might be putting profit before principles.

The Fork in the Road

Historically, when prominent open-source projects deviated from the community's vision, it often led to the creation of 'forks' or alternate versions of the software. This could result in a fragmented Terraform ecosystem, making standardization and collaboration harder.

OpenTF: A Beacon for the Open Source Community

In the wake of HashiCorp's decision, OpenTF has emerged as a significant player. OpenTF, representing a consortium focused on preserving the open-source spirit of IaC tools, stands as a testament to the open-source community's resilience. Its emergence highlights the ongoing desire within the community to maintain free and open collaboration, regardless of the decisions made by major companies like HashiCorp. As a result, OpenTF is becoming a focal point for those who feel sidelined by HashiCorp's licensing transition.

Broader Industry Ripple Effects

HashiCorp isn't the first, nor will it be the last, to grapple with licensing decisions. But being a market leader, its choices might set a trend, urging other open-source entities to reconsider their licensing models, further impacting the OSS ecosystem.

Balancing Business and Ethics

While HashiCorp's choice can be understood from a business perspective, the ethical dimension is equally significant. Open source thrives on collaboration and community spirit. Actions that seem to move away from this ethos can lead to lasting reputational repercussions.

Conclusion

HashiCorp's decision to move Terraform's license from MPL 2.0 to BSL v1.1 marks a deeply concerning development in the open source landscape. This change, driven by HashiCorp's business interests, is perceived by many as a betrayal to the dedicated developer community that has helped Terraform thrive.

This shift sets a troubling precedent, suggesting that once open source projects reach a critical mass, the rules can be rewritten for the commercial gain of a parent company. This action risks alienating developers, potentially causing a fragmentation of Terraform's user base between those who support a forked, open-source version, such as OpenTF, and those who continue using HashiCorp's official, but more restrictively licensed version.

At its core, this move seems to risk HashiCorp's most valuable asset: the trust and goodwill of the vibrant global community that championed Terraform as a leader in Infrastructure as Code (IaC).

1. HashiCorp License Change Announcement Blog Post
2. Read Spacelift's Blog Post on the Subject
3. OpenTF's Manifesto

Originally Posted on Medium