README.md

This repository is a collection of research, and a resultant
[whitepaper](https://opensource.org/delayed-open-source-publication),
about *delayed open source publication* (DOSP): the practice of
publishing a software release under a proprietary license initially,
then later publishing that release's source code under an open source
license.  (This is often, but not always, done in a predictable
fashion: e.g., when release N goes out under a proprietary license,
release N-1 is then (re)published under an open source license.)

There are examples of DOSP across the history of open source -- in
fact, some of the examples (e.g., Aladdin Ghostscript) predate the
coining of the term "open source".  We looked at various instances of
DOSP and examined how they are alike or different.  We also analyzed
the effects (if any) of DOSP on open source as a field.  Our purpose
was to provide accurate historical description and objective analysis;
our work here represents no position on the desirability or
undesirability of delayed open source publication.

This research was supported by the [Open Source Initiative
(OSI)](https://opensource.org/).  The report is now completed and
published at
[opensource.org/delayed-open-source-publication](https://opensource.org/delayed-open-source-publication).

## Contacting us

You can email us at `dosp-research {_AT_} opensource.org` or [file a
ticket](https://code.librehq.com/ots/dosp-research/-/issues/new) to
contact us.  While we occasionally indulge in light maintenance and
error correction in the LaTeX source, that's infrequent and done
entirely at our discretion.  We may prepare an updated second edition
some day; if you're interested in being involved in that, please let
us know.

## Building the whitepaper PDF from LaTeX source

To build the whitepaper from LaTeX source, use [OTS
DocTools](https://code.librehq.com/ots/ots-doctools).