Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the transfer of its OpenSearch project to the Linux Foundation, establishing the OpenSearch Software Foundation to support this initiative. Originally launched in 2021 as an open-source fork of Elasticsearch, OpenSearch has achieved significant traction with over 700 million downloads and contributions from thousands of developers. This move aims to provide vendor-neutral support for the project, fostering community growth and collaboration. AWS executives emphasize that this transition will enhance OpenSearch’s governance and operational resources, allowing for a more inclusive development process. The foundation will include key partners like AWS, Uber, and SAP, aiming to further advance the capabilities of OpenSearch for search and analytics applications. This strategic shift arrives shortly after Elastic announced a return to open-source licensing for its own software, highlighting the evolving landscape of open-source tools.