Open source projects need administration as well as code. Someone has to look after the domain name, the web site, the repository, the passwords for everything and the money that pays for all the above. As the project succeeds, the task gets bigger and eventually projects decide they need to turn into a charity. But that’s a big step, and no-one who has taken it would recommend it!
In the USA, “umbrella” organisations such as Software Freedom Conservancy exist to look after the fiduciary responsibilities of projects. Now there are new organisations in Europe to do that too. Hear about:
- why projects need a legal entity
- the new European entities
- how this has liberated a public transport project
