Contribution to Open-Source Product Development

The situation of private contribution to an open-source project is considered. This case is distinguished from a simple case of public good provision through the various underlying incentives of the participants. In the modelling, these incentives come into play to form various equilibria from which conclusions on their roles can be derived. Specifically, it is shown that the agent's willingness to participate, her own need from the project, and the community's altruism play important roles in driving the project forward.