Firefox

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Firefox maker Mozilla prepares Gmail-like Thundermail (www.theregister.com)

submitted 3 months ago by commander@lemmy.world to c/firefox@lemmy.ml

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[–] maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone 52 points 3 months ago (12 children)

Thunderbird is funded by donations and operates under the MZLA banner.

These articles today are doing a disservice to the Thunderbird team who work independently of Mozilla afaik.

[–] lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

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 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 months ago

Sure, applies to getting to any level of profitability.

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