prospectacle writes:
"An important choice remains for this site. What kind of organisation will we be, practically, legally and financially?
A for-profit, shareholder corporation seems out of the question, by general consensus (correct me if I'm wrong), but other questions remain. The basic choice is this:
Will we be like a charity, a co-op, or a recreational club?
This is a gross simplification, but gives some idea of the options involved. Feel free to offer alternatives. So what should we be, what is our purpose, really? And what kind of a structure is required to make sure we serve that purpose, and that money doesn't end up in the wrong pockets?
Bonus question: which jurisdiction should we set ourselves up in to fulfil our mission most effectively?"
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Open4D on Wednesday March 12 2014, @11:25AM
There's an argument that most of what you've said above is quite specific to one jurisdiction. The USA, I presume?
Whoever is going to make the decision, I would encourage them to consider shopping for jurisdictions (as I mentioned in this thread [soylentnews.org] of today's Status Update story).
Perhaps some existing group like the FSF have people who'd be happy to give unofficial advice on these kinds of decisions? It seems [fsfe.org] there are actually 4 FSF organizations in various parts of the world. I wonder which of those is happiest with its legal status.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Cornwallis on Wednesday March 12 2014, @12:38PM
I like the FSF connection idea. (FSF and EFF are the only orgs I belong to.) In any event, don't base the org in the US!
(Score: 1) by mrchew1982 on Thursday March 13 2014, @03:29AM
Is there any way that either of those organizations would help us draft our legal papers? If not pro bono, then maybe a "friends of open source" discounted rate?
(Score: 1) by mrclisdue on Wednesday March 12 2014, @12:40PM
Thanks for the links; was scanning this thread for exactly this ....
cheers,