Open Source and IP

Over the last few years, I've been heavily exposed to the vast array of Open Source projects. Everything from the commonly used Apache Web server, Tomcat, JBoss, Apache Commons, Struts, OJB and a number of other projects.

The quality of these projects is fantastic and can enable a startup to utilize Best Practices in many areas. However, there is also a potential issue regarding a company's intellectual property (IP) that, if not handled properly, can become a significant impediment to long-term success.

In the next month or so, I plan to make a series of posts about open source and IP and strategies for entreprenuers who plan to build a business around this new and exciting area.