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Solution for Oracle/Sun deal: Make MySQL independent

Oracle should agree to put MySQL in the hands of an independent non-profit guardian, proposes the Free Software Foundation Europe. The Free Software community could develop MySQL to its full potential, while Oracle would not have to worry that a competitor could take over the database project.

"Competition in the software market is very important, because it drives innovation", says Karsten Gerloff, President of the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE). "The fate of a project like MySQL should not depend on a single company."

By moving the MySQL issue out of the way, this would make it possible for Oracle to quickly complete the acquisition of Sun Microsystems and prevent further losses.

FSFE has published a detailed analysis of the problem that MySQL poses for Oracle, and for competition in the database market:

• Karsten Gerloff's "The case for independence - Oracle, Sun and what to do with MySQL"

MySQL is the stumbling block in Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems. With this deal, the biggest maker of proprietary databases would gain control of MySQL, a large Free Software database project. The European Commission is so far refusing to approve the deal because it is worried about its effects on competition. At the same time, Sun is quickly shedding money and jobs.