The recent dispute between WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg and hosting company WP Engine has sparked widespread discussion about the social and philosophical responsibilities of open source software. This session will move beyond the legal details and delve into the broader implications for businesses reliant on open source infrastructure.

Through the lens of social contract theory, we'll examine the obligations of open source maintainers, contributors, and businesses. We'll discuss how communities like Drupal have tackled these issues and what can be learned to improve clarity, reduce tension, and ensure sustainable livelihoods in open source.

Focusing on practical solutions, we'll explore how businesses can thrive in open source without exploiting their communities and how projects can create incentives that foster mutual benefit. This session aims to navigate a productive path forward for the open source movement, ensuring long-term sustainability without taking sides in the dispute.