Open Source Labs De-structuring Continues

In a clear sign that last year's restructuring of Linux' principal Open Source Development Labs hasn't yet stopped, another nine of the group's 29 full-time employees were let go, as first reported by Joe Bronkmeier of Linux.com.

Following them will be the group's CEO, Stuart Cohen, who told reporters today the purpose of his leaving is unrelated. However, in a statement first released to open source news sources, Cohen said one reason for the current round of OSDL reshuffling is in order for the labs to devote more resources for legal defense.

Linux creator Linus Torvalds, an OSDL employee and the man considered the soul of Linux, remains on-board, along with lead programmer Andrew Morton. Mike Temple, currently the group's CFO, will reportedly assume the newly created chief operating officer mantle, the phraseology of which apparently leaving the CEO post open for now.

The first wave of OSDL layoffs came in August 2005, with the dismissal of nine employees in what was then described as a refocusing of efforts. At that time, Cohen told reporters that the shuffling was necessary to begin a process of corporate growth, implying the subsequent creation of new divisions.

"There's a variety of things that go into it other than just the writing of the code," he said last year, "and unfortunately, we were in a position where we thought the right thing for us to do financially was to redirect some of those skills."

Cohen added last year that the company had "plenty of money in reserve...plenty of cash in the bank." Today, at least nine people are likely asking what happened to it, and whether the expansion of the legal division will be worth it.

OSDL is a unique organization, in that much of its role is to encourage the companies that use Linux to participate directly in its development. Much of its financial backing comes from major implementers such as HP, IBM, Intel, Fujitsu, Hitachi, NEC, and Novell. Today, Cohen told reporters once again the group will renew its focus in the evangelism arena, and that he himself may participate in independent efforts to promote Linux development by enterprises.