How Open Source Companies Build a Dual Licensing Revenue Engine

Episode 42 of The Open Source Business with Fexingo dives into dual licensing — how open source companies offer the same code under both a free copyleft license and a paid proprietary license. Lucas and Luna break down the strategy using real-world examples: MySQL's early days, MongoDB's shift to SSPL, and how Elastic turned a licensing controversy into a $800 million exit. They explore the tension between community trust and revenue goals, the role of GPL vs. business-friendly licenses, and why dual licensing isn't a silver bullet. If you've ever wondered how 'free' software generates hundreds of millions in revenue, this episode explains the mechanics, the trade-offs, and the execution risks. Perfect for founders, developer advocates, and anyone curious about the business models powering the open source economy. #DualLicensing #OpenSourceBusiness #MySQL #MongoDB #Elastic #GPL #SSPL #Copyleft #RevenueModel #BusinessAndTechnology #SoftwareLicensing #CommunityStrategy #DeveloperEconomics #FreeSoftware #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TechStrategy #OpenSourceMonetization Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo