Franz Kiraly - sktime: Trials and tribulations of a charitable, openly governed open source project

AI/ML open source projects have significant perceived financial value, often in the millions of dollars, making them targets for commercial takeover attempts

Two contrasting models exist in open source:

• Commercial: Controlled by companies/investors, focused on lock-in and upselling
• Inclusive: Community-governed, emphasizing user/developer empowerment and fair benefit distribution

Key safeguards for open source projects:

• Protect assets through trademark registration and incorporation
• Implement multi-factor authentication and DevOpsSec practices
• Maintain clear governance and decision-making processes
• Keep proper documentation and records
• Have emergency plans and legal support ready

Common threats to inclusive open source projects:

• Divide and conquer tactics targeting community rifts
• Asset capture attempts
• False accusations and harassment
• Ecosystem fragmentation
• Market pressures and commercial competition

Recommended community defense strategies:

• Don’t react emotionally or take the bait in conflicts
• Maintain robust internal arbitration processes
• Document everything and store records safely
• Build support networks outside the project
• Watch for signs of manipulation or gaslighting

The open source landscape is evolving due to:

• Increasing commercial pressures
• AI/ML market valuations
• Competition between commercial and inclusive governance models
• Growing ecosystem fragmentation
• Changing user dynamics and expectations