Oracle ends relationship with open source community

Described as the ‘least bad option’, Oracle has handed OpenOffice over to Apache Software Foundation (ASF).

The move means Oracle has ended its involvement in the open source community – a liaison that began in January 2010 with the purchase of Sun Microsystems. Some developers jumped ship soon after in protest over Oracle’s supposed lack of commitment to the open source community, creating the Document Foundation and Libre Office project.

Charles Schulz, a founding member of the Document Foundation, was disappointed and described it as a ‘missed opportunity’ for Oracle to close the loop with the break away developers.

However, David Bradshaw, an IDC analyst, believes Oracle made the best of an awkward situation.

"If Oracle had shut OpenOffice down completely, it would have raised a stink," he said. "And Oracle could not have given the suite to LibreOffice because it is at cross swords with the community."

Both Schulz and Bradshaw do agree that the ASF does not have enough resources and developers to invest significantly in OpenOffice. However, the ASF has invited the Document Foundation to talks on how the suite will progress – a move that was welcomed by Schulz.

Schulz said he wanted the two companies to work closely to continue the production of a successful office suite.

Oracle may not have ‘returned’ OpenOffice to those that left in protest, instead, the Document Foundation has a new work colleague – one they appear happy with.