As we have chosen not to join the Apache Software Foundation via the incubator process, the PMC has been discussing the possibility of forming an LLC or otherwise formalizing the legal existence of Habari. The reasons for this include limiting individual liability and insuring funding for infrastructure and other expenses related to developing and marketing Habari.
The issues that are involved with this process are very complex and will require much research and discussion. When we decide what route to take, it has been suggested that the members of the PMC should fund the costs of incorporation, in essence putting their money where their mouths are. Some of the issues that have been brought up: * Jurisdiction of Incorporation * LLC vs S-Corp * Corporation Membership (All PMC vs Subset (including implications for minors and non-US Citizens) * motivations (financial, liability protection) * for-profit vs non-profit (these have _very_ specific legal definitions and implications) * Taxation I think this is a good time to reiterate the voting policies as well. Only PMC member votes are binding but community votes are welcomed as an advisory guide. It's not a technical issue so a -1 is a vote against, not a veto. The conversation that led to this discussion can be viewed at: http://drunkenmonkey.org/irc/habari/2009-05-25#T14-12-01 and was summarized by Owen Winkler as follows: CJD: We should talk about making Habari into an LLC. OW: Yes. <code code> CJD: The PMC should help fund this. OW: Yes, my credit card is maxed out. <screencast of code> CJD: Wish there was a foundation that did this. OW: Bunch of hippies. <code code> CJD: Let's patent some stuff. Moeffju: Black t-shirts are cool. OW: <code code> CJD: Let's get monies from users into Paypal. OW: Beggin' for cash might make us look bad. CJD: 501(c)3's are tax deductable! OW: I am not interested in going through non-profit gyrations. CJD: We should sell Habari stock! OW: We should move plugin/theme info to Pluggable and break everything! CJD: There are lots o' taxes in an LLC. OW: "Earnings == -$1200 in hosting." $0 taxes? CJD: More people should know of this LLC talk. I is emailing -cabal gsnedders: Habari smokes WP in apachebench. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/habari-users -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
