Good News! Redis is Open Source Again 🕺

Redis is known for being a fast and efficient in-memory data store often used for caching, session storage, and real-time data processing. Popular services like GitHub, Snapchat, Netflix, and Pokémon Go use it to manage real-time data, handle caching, improve performance, and ensure quick responses for user interactions.

Last year, they had moved away from open source, opting for a dual-license system with RSALv2 and SSPLv1, which are source-available licenses that don't conform to the Open Source Initiative's (OSI) definition of open source.

A recent announcement now sees Redis return to open source licensing with their Redis Open Source product.

Redis Open Source: What to Expect?

Rebranding Redis Community Edition, the developers of Redis have released Redis Open Source under AGPLv3, an OSI-approved license, alongside the existing versions with source-available licenses.

This was part of the Redis 8 release, which introduced over 30 performance improvements, faster commands, and new data structures.

Announcing the update, Rowan Trollope, CEO of Redis, reflected on the past by stating that:

After I joined the company, and a year of evaluating alternatives, in March 2024, we decided to move Redis to the SSPL license.

This achieved our goal—AWS and Google now maintain their own fork—but the change hurt our relationship with the Redis community. SSPL is not truly open source because the Open Source Initiative clarified it lacks the requisites to be an OSI-approved license.

That last bit about the community being hurt cannot be overstated. Redis' move away from open source caused some massive backlash, with many developers, contributors, and open source advocates distancing themselves from Redis after their switch to SSPL.

Hopefully, by adopting an OSI-approved license, Redis can begin the process of rebuilding trust within the open source community and restoring its reputation among developers.

💬 Are you open to giving Redis another chance, or have you moved on for good?

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