Mozilla Corporation
The Mozilla Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mozilla Foundation, established to coordinate the development of certain key Mozilla products, particularly the Firefox web browser. Here is a detailed overview:
History and Formation
The Mozilla Corporation was officially created on August 3, 2005, after the Mozilla Foundation announced its restructuring. This move was part of an effort to separate the non-profit aspects of Mozilla from its for-profit operations, allowing the Foundation to focus on its mission while the Corporation managed product development and business operations. The formation was also influenced by the need to attract and retain top talent, which was challenging under the non-profit structure of the Foundation.
Operations
- Product Development: The core focus of the Mozilla Corporation is on the development of Firefox and related technologies. It oversees the engineering, marketing, and distribution of these products.
- Business Model: While the Mozilla Foundation relies on donations and grants, the Mozilla Corporation generates revenue through partnerships, search engine deals (like with Google), and through the sale of services and products like Mozilla VPN and Firefox Premium.
- Open Source: Despite its for-profit status, the Mozilla Corporation remains committed to open-source principles, with much of its software development taking place in the public view through platforms like Mozilla Central.
Leadership
The Corporation is led by a CEO, with Mitchell Baker serving as the current chairwoman of the Mozilla Foundation and former CEO of the Corporation. The leadership team focuses on balancing business goals with Mozilla's mission to promote an open, accessible, and safe internet.
Impact and Controversies
Over the years, the Mozilla Corporation has been involved in several notable controversies:
- CEO Resignation: In 2014, Brendan Eich, who briefly served as CEO, resigned due to backlash over his donation to a campaign opposing same-sex marriage.
- Privacy Concerns: Mozilla's decisions on telemetry and data collection practices have occasionally raised privacy concerns among users.
- Market Share: Despite its mission, Firefox's market share has been challenged by other browsers, prompting discussions on Mozilla's strategy and relevance.
Recent Developments
Recent efforts by the Mozilla Corporation include:
External Links
Here are related topics: