Microsoft’s Ongoing Struggle with Open Source: Balancing Profit and Community
Miguel de Icaza, a developer with deep roots in open source and a history of working within the Microsoft ecosystem, has voiced strong criticism against the company’s recent moves in the open-source space. De Icaza’s grievances are particularly centered around Microsoft’s decision to introduce proprietary extensions into a once open-source project, which he views as a step backward for .NET and the larger open-source community. His concerns echo those of many who have watched Microsoft’s complex history with open source unfold, especially following incidents like last year’s issues with the Hot Reload project. While de Icaza’s criticism holds weight given his credibility in both open source and his former tenure at Microsoft, the situation is far from simple.
However, it would be a mistake to frame this as a return to Microsoft’s old anti-Linux stance, which some critics have long feared. Since 2014, Microsoft has made significant strides in aligning itself with the open-source community, contributing to major projects and embracing open-source practices in a way that few could have imagined a decade ago. The company has openly committed to supporting open source, and its successful initiatives—such as the development of .NET Core—serve as evidence of its ongoing contributions. While the introduction of proprietary elements into certain open-source projects may seem contradictory, it’s unlikely that Microsoft is suddenly reverting to its past stance. Instead, this may be a case of one division pushing for decisions that align with business needs, even if those decisions go against the spirit of open-source values.
The underlying tension can often be traced to the realities of working at large corporations, where decisions aren’t always made with community ideals in mind. In a big company, top-down directives often clash with the ideals of individual departments, leading to outcomes that feel disconnected from the company’s larger vision. For example, the CEO may push a new initiative—like shifting focus to a new product—but the other divisions that are heavily invested in existing products or partnerships complicate the situation. This is a classic example of the “right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.” Corporate decisions, no matter how well-intentioned, can get bogged down by competing priorities, and the ultimate impact on open-source projects might be a result of such internal power struggles, rather than a conscious decision to “close off” successful projects.
For those who believe Microsoft’s actions are driven purely by a desire for control or profit, it’s important to remember the complexities inherent in large corporations. Corporate edicts often take time to filter down and are shaped by many competing interests—both internal and external. The company’s shift in strategy may not be the result of malice, but rather a reflection of broader goals, like satisfying revenue targets or responding to partner pressures. In the world of large tech companies, these forces can significantly influence how open-source initiatives evolve, often leading to outcomes that are difficult to predict, especially when the bottom line is at stake.