The KDE Free Qt Foundation
summary
Foundation created in 1998 formalizes an agreement between Trolltech and KDE e.V. that preserves Qt as free software through a legal mechanism: a tiny board with two reps each and KDE majority on ties, a trigger that allows the KDE Free Qt Foundation to release Q3 under BSD after 5 months without major updates, and explicit coverage for license changes (QPL→GPL/LGPL) and platforms. The clause survives multiple acquisitions (Nokia, Digia, The Qt Company) and keeps Qt free for 20+ years.
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chapters (10)
- 0:00Introduction to Qt and KDE
- 3:11KDE's early challenges and Qt's license debate
- 7:47The pivotal Unspark meeting and Trolltech's bold offer
- 10:14Founding the KDE Free Qt Foundation
- 13:03Agreement signed and KDE 1.0 release
- 14:47Evolving the agreement over time
- 16:10Nokia acquisition and agreement in action
- 18:16Mission accomplished and future outlook
- 19:20Lessons learned from the foundation
- 22:10Complexities and courage behind the agreement
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