[FSFE PR][EN] Solution for Oracle/Sun deal: Make MySQL independent

[Free Software Foundation Europe]

= Solution for Oracle/Sun deal: Make MySQL independent =

[Permanent URL: http://www.fsfe.org/news/2009/news-20091023-02.en.html ]

23 October 2009, 11:00 CEST, Berlin, Germany

Oracle should agree to put MySQL in the hands of an independent
non-profit guardian, proposes the Free Software Foundation Europe.  The
Free Software community could develop MySQL to its full potential, while
Oracle would not have to worry that a competitor could take over the
database project.

    "Competition in the software market is very important, because it
    drives innovation", says Karsten Gerloff, President of the Free
    Software Foundation Europe (FSFE).  "The fate of a project like
    MySQL should not depend on a single company."

By moving the MySQL issue out of the way, this would make it possible
for Oracle to quickly complete the acquisition of Sun Microsystems and
prevent further losses.

FSFE has published a detailed analysis of the problem that MySQL poses
for Oracle, and for competition in the database market:

	http://blogs.fsfe.org/gerloff/?p=274

MySQL is the stumbling block in Oracle's acquisition of Sun
Microsystems. With this deal, the biggest maker of proprietary databases
would gain control of MySQL, a large Free Software database project. The
European Commission is so far refusing to approve the deal because it is
worried about its effects on competition. At the same time, Sun is
quickly shedding money and jobs.


== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==

  The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
  non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
  involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
  participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
  the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
  Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
  furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
  modify and copy.  Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these
  issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving
  people Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central
  issues of the FSFE.

  http://fsfe.org

== Contact ==

  Karsten Gerloff
  President
  Free Software Foundation Europe
  e-mail: press at fsfeurope.org
  mobile: +49-176-96904298