18 January 2008 · acquisition, mysql, open source, sun microsystems

Sun just raised their bet on open source by buying MySQL AB, the company that makes the most popular open source relational database in the world. They paid $800m in cash and assumed $200m in options to do so, even though MySQL distribute most of their software as open source.

MySQL was the first to aggressively adopt the so-called dual licensing model, which allowed products to be acquired as open source or bought with a support contract, and this has been popular with those who don't like the prospect of having to fall back on their own support resources.

Sun seem to be betting that closer ties with a popular database product will bring them more server and suppoer business, and who's to say they're wrong?