Redis tightens its license: How can an OSS company survive in the Cloud Era

Redis, an open-source database software, has transitioned from the BSD license to the Server Side Public License (SSPLv1), causing some controversy. This change may lead to multiple Linux distributors dropping Redis from their codebases, but alternative options like Valkey and Microsoft's Garnet are available. The shift in open-source licensing has been driven by cloud computing's impact on the traditional business model of open-source software companies. Some open-source projects have adopted more restrictive licenses to protect their profits, while others continue to offer permissive licenses and focus on commercial services. Companies like Zilliz are finding new ways to balance open-source and commercialization by offering unique capabilities in their managed services while maintaining compatibility with the open-source API.