Open Source Software: A Hidden Risk in an Otherwise Successful Exit?
For Australian startups, scaleups and high-growth technology businesses, open source software offers significant commercial advantages. It reduces development costs, accelerates product delivery and allows businesses to build sophisticated technology without developing every component themselves. However, the legal implications of using open source software are frequently overlooked. A company may have invested years developing a valuable proprietary platform, established a substantial customer base and attracted a prospective purchaser, only to discover that components of its software are subject to licensing obligations that were never properly considered. The concern is not necessarily […]