Mozilla Goes Corporate

http://www.mozilla.org/reorganization/

As of August 3rd, Mozilla went all corporate on us. I didn’t read the whole page, but it seemed like the Q&A portion was meant to calm nerves by seeing the word “corporation” next to Mozilla.

I visited some of the executive blogs and got more of the same calming approach. My sense is that if they’re nearing 10% U.S. desktop share that they want to start seeing some duckets in the treasury.

http://www.mozilla.org/reorganization/

As of August 3rd, Mozilla went all corporate on us. I didn’t read the whole page, but it seemed like the Q&A portion was meant to calm nerves by seeing the word “corporation” next to Mozilla.

I visited some of the executive blogs and got more of the same calming approach. My sense is that if they’re nearing 10% U.S. desktop share that they want to start seeing some duckets in the treasury. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, especially if they’re striking a deal with the IRS to keep some things tax-exempt with the original Foundation.

One thought on “Mozilla Goes Corporate”

  1. Taxes are the thing

    The way I see it, tax structure is the main reason for the creation of the taxable corporation. The Mozilla Foundation is organized as a non-taxable private foundation, and as such certain lobbying and profit-generating activities are outside of its purview.

    Meanwhile, a profit-generating subsidiary would allow the Foundation to abstain from direct lobbying, while using taxable contributions and profits from the Corporation for political reasons. Among other things.

    It’s not all politics, too, but I think this quote is telling:

    Having the Mozilla Corporation handle revenue-generating activities associated with these products also allows the Mozilla Foundation to achieve its goals while still itself remaining a tax-exempt organization.

    It’s an interesting move, though, for sure.

    —
    Matthew P. Barnson

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