Why We Are Doing This
Recent changes in commercial ownership have created uncertainty within the maker and open-source community. Many of us rely on platforms that could shift towards closed licensing, locked-down hardware, or profit-focused decisions.
Instead of waiting to see what might happen, we are building something stable and community-owned: an organisation protected from commercial takeover and committed to openness forever.
Who We Are
The community includes hobbyists, educators, students, developers, hardware designers, volunteers, and anyone who values open hardware and open software. There are no insiders or outsiders. It belongs to all of us equally.
The Structure We Propose
Our model has two parts:
- A charity – the democratic, community-owned heart
- A limited company – the practical engine that does the work
The essential point is that the charity owns 100% of the shares in the limited company. This gives strong legal protection and keeps the project aligned with community values.
The Charity
The charity holds all intellectual property, sets the founding principles, and protects the project from being sold or closed. Members elect trustees, approve major decisions, and ensure the project stays true to its purpose.
Trustees cannot personally profit. They act solely for the community’s benefit, supported by the protections of UK charity law.
The Limited Company
The limited company handles practical work:
- designing hardware
- developing software
- creating documentation
- collaborating with manufacturers
- operating shops or services
- managing events
It trades ethically and returns any surplus to the charity, ensuring profits always support the community rather than private gain.
Companies and External Partners
External companies may contribute, sponsor, or collaborate, but cannot gain influence over the project’s direction. Support is welcome; control is not for sale.
Forking Existing Projects
To ensure continuity and protect the community’s work, we will fork existing software and hardware where legally permitted, keeping everything open, transparent, and community-led.
A Personal Note from the Proposer
This idea began with the feeling that someone needed to act. As an ex-IT professional whose career began in the late 1980s, I have long cared about openness and accessibility. Although retired due to disability, I remain passionate about the maker world and the spirit of sharing that defines it.
This proposal is only the start. If the charity forms and gains healthy membership, I will step back and become an ordinary member. This project should belong to the community, not to any one person.
Summary
This model ensures permanent openness, community control, transparent finances, and protection from commercial capture. It invites everyone to help build something lasting, shared, and free.