Development and licensing Ethereum: Critical Analysis
In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto published the original bitcoin bitcoin, which outlined a decentralized digital menu to revolutionize the way we consider money. Since then, the project has undergone significant transformations with various implementations and updates of its basic technology. One aspects that distinguishes bitcoin from other cryptomen is its licensing structure: it was not initially licensed on the basis of an open source MIT license.
A critical view of the license
At first glance, it may seem contra they that a project with such ambitious goals would be accepted by an opaque license model. However, this decision results from the intentional selection made by Satoshi Nakamoto and the Bitcoins community to maintain control of the basic network code and ensure its longevity. Creators who do not use an open source license such as MIT or GPL (General Public License) have focused on:
* Keep the confidentiality : By keeping the Kodebase closed, developers have avoided the potential security risks associated with public release of sensitive information.
* Ensure scalability
: Open source licenses often require considerable efforts for development and maintenance. The community can focus on improving network performance rather than solving licensing problems.
* Maintaining intellectual property : MIT license is ownership and exclusive for the Bitcoin project. This ensures that any improvements or updates carried out in the protocol will remain under the control of the creators.
rise Ethereum
A quick move forward to 2015, when Vitalik Buterin introduced the Ethereum project, a decentralized platform at the top of the Bitcoin network. Although originally designed as an extension of the existing bitcoin code base, the development of Ethereum and subsequent forks led to significant changes in its architecture and licensing strategy.
Ethereum: new license paradigma
In 2018, Vitalik Buterin released a new license for Ethereum, which is derived from the MIT license. This decision meant a fundamental shift in the approach of the project because it provided another layer of control over the development and deployment of the network. The new license structure allows developers:
* Improvement of security : By maintaining the secret of the code base, the community can focus on improving the overall platform security.
* Promote innovations : With greater control of their work, developers can experiment with new features and ideas without fear of patent or mental disputes.
* Ensure compliance : New licensing conditions ensure that any contributions or modifications made by Ethereum are in accordance with existing patents and intellectual property laws.
Conclusion
Choosing a MIT license for bitcoins was a deliberate decision that favors control, confidentiality, scalability and preservation of intellectual property. Although unusual at first glance, this approach has allowed the continued growth and success of the project. As Ethereum continues to develop and expands its ecosystem, it will be interesting to find out how the license structure remains introduced and adapts to new requirements.
By understanding basic motivations for the initial decision, we can better appreciate the complexity of decentralized technology development and the importance of careful consideration in choosing a license model for open source projects.