Power Dynamics, Rug Pulls, and Other Corporate Impacts on OSS Sustainability

Explore the complex power dynamics affecting open source software sustainability in this 46-minute conference talk from the Linux Foundation. Examine how power imbalances within OSS projects have become increasingly complex in today's cloud-native landscape, leading to community tensions, project relicensing, and disruptions that leave users, contributors, and maintainers feeling destabilized. Learn to identify warning signs of unsustainable projects and understand the mechanisms available to counter power moves, including strategic forking. Discover tangible steps for maintainers, contributors, and users to make informed decisions about where to invest time and effort in open source projects. Gain insights into recognizing red flags that may indicate future sustainability issues and develop strategies for better project selection and community engagement to support long-term open source ecosystem health.