: Thunderbirds are Pro: Open-source email client to get message hosting, appointment scheduling, more
  • @lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works
    4•2 days ago

    Independently of the Mozilla team, yes.

    However, my understanding is that, if Thunderbird were to become hugely profitable, the Mozilla Foundation would benefit financially, though indirectly.

    The organizational structure:

    • Mozilla Foundation = parent organization
    • MZLA Technologies Corporation (which owns Thunderbird) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mozilla Foundation
    • Mozilla Corporation (which produces Firefox) is also a subsidiary of the Foundation

    When Thunderbird moved to MZLA Technologies Corporation in January 2020, this was specifically done to allow Thunderbird to “collect revenue through partnerships and non-charitable donations”.

    As a wholly owned subsidiary, any profits generated by MZLA would ultimately flow back to its parent organization, the Mozilla Foundation.

    In the end, that revenue would probably go to all the smart investments we’ve seen the Mozilla Foundation make over the previous years. 🙄

    • @Vincent@feddit.nl
      2•2 days ago

      You’re right, but I think “hugely profitable” is probably optimistic - I’d expect something to the level of Proton or Fastmail. Fine, but not a big money maker like Firefox is.