Bylaws – Open Source Initiative

Learn more about OSI’s mission, history, people, and programs.
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Advancing Open Source through policy, regulation, and standards.
Supporting research, education, and knowledge about Open Source.
Connecting the people and organizations that build and support Open Source.
Explore the latest news, blog posts, newsletters, press mentions, and events from the OSI.
Learn more about OSI’s mission, history, people, and programs.
Explore the list of OSI-Approved licenses and learn more about the license review process.
Learn more about Open Source AI, how do we define it, and its benefits to society.
Advancing Open Source through policy, regulation, and standards.
Supporting research, education, and knowledge about Open Source.
Connecting the people and organizations that build and support Open Source.
Explore the latest news, blog posts, newsletters, press mentions, and events from the OSI.
Section 1. NAME. The name of this corporation is Open Source Initiative.
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office for the transaction of the activities and affairs of the corporation (principal office) is located at 702 Marshall Street, Suite 301, Redwood City, California 94063 in San Mateo County. The board of directors may change the principal office from one location to another. Any change of location of the principal office shall be noted by the secretary on these bylaws opposite this Section, or this Section may be amended to state the new location.
Section 2. OTHER OFFICES. The board may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to conduct its activities.
Section 1. GENERAL PURPOSES. This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the privategain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public educational purposes.
Section 2. SPECIFIC PURPOSES. Within the context of the general purposes stated above, this corporation shall: (1) educate thepublic about the advantages of open source software; (2) encourage the software community to participate in open source software development; (3) identify how software users’ objectives are best served through open source software; (4) persuade organizations and software authors to distribute source software freely they otherwise would not distribute; (5) provide resources for sharing information about open source software and licenses; (6) assist attorneys to craft open source licenses; (7) manage a program to allow use of one or more marks in association with open source software licenses; and (8) advocate for open source principles.
Section 3. LIMITATIONS. This corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise anypowers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation, and the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future Unites States internal revenue law, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law.
No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and this corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including publishing or distributing statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
No part of the net earnings of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of any of its directors, trustees, officers, private shareholders or members, or to individuals.
On the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts, obligations, and liabilities of the corporation, the remaining assets of this corporation shall be distributed to such organization (or organizations) organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future Unites States internal revenue law) and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code (or the corresponding provision of any future California revenue and tax law).
The corporation will distribute its income for each tax year at such time and in such manner as not to become subject to the tax on undistributed income imposed by Section 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or corresponding provisions of any later federal tax laws.
The corporation will not engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in Section 4941(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any later federal tax laws.
The corporation will not retain any excess business holdings as defined in Section 4943(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any later federal tax laws.
The corporation will not make any investments in such manner as to subject it to tax under Section 4944 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any later federal tax laws.
The corporation will not make any taxable expenditures as defined in Section 4945(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any later federal tax laws.
Section 1. MEMBERSHIP. This corporation shall have no members.
Section 1. GENERAL CORPORATE POWERS. Subject to the provisions and limitations of the California Nonprofit Public BenefitCorporation law and any other applicable laws, the corporation’s acti