When we discuss “open source software”, we refer to the definition of open source licenses by the Open Source Initiative (“OSI”). SUSE has many engineers who passionately stand behind “free and open source software” and supports these ideals as a company. We do recognize that open source is more than a development model and that there are ideals behind it the idea is to respect communities and user’s freedoms, and specifically, the freedoms to use, study, share, and improve the software. SUSE uses the term “open source” for brevity and because it is the clearest descriptor in the context that we operate in. It might also serve as inspiration for others implementing open source policies. This document provides transparency on how SUSE operates and outlines our employee’s guidelines on how to deal with open source.

Our approach to open source is “Open Source first, upstream first”. SUSE is proud to be a good citizen and leader of the global open source community. We believe that Open Source is not a zero-sum game but that collaboration in the open benefits all participants and creates a broader base for everybody to build upon. Open source is at the heart of the SUSE business and development model. Our consistent ability to meet these market demands creates a cycle of success, momentum and growth that allows SUSE to continue to deliver the open source innovation customers need to achieve their digital transformation goals.

Our truly open, open source solutions, flexible business practices, lack of enforced vendor lock-in and exceptional service are more critical to customer organizations than ever before. We enable customers to manage complexity, reduce cost and deliver business-critical services powering innovation and digital transformation. SUSE builds from its Linux heritage and works with an ecosystem of partners and communities to adapt and secure open source solutions backed by superior service and support. As organizations embrace this freedom and flexibility, they demand open source solutions that are reliable, secure and enterprise ready. These emerging infrastructure technologies, which are built on open source and Linux, create new levels of freedom and flexibility. They must leverage digital assets, information and a surge of new infrastructure software innovation to fuel and enable their digital transformation. Organizations today face increasing pressure to become more agile and economically efficient in order to grow, compete and survive. Return to Home SUSE Open Source Policy Introduction

Open source license manager