Open Source Initiative

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a California public benefit corporation, with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status, founded in 1998. OSI is the steward of the Open Source Definition (OSD) and the community-recognized body for reviewing and approving licenses as OSD-conformant.

OSI’s mission is global in scope, and was formed to educate about and  advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open source community.

Our events are designed to fulfill our educational mission.