They previously had a pretty unique structure (gemeinnützige GmbH) but the german authorities stripped them from that status saying "free social media is not a public benefit purpose".

[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Libre software isn't a public benefit under German law?!?

[–] Microw@lemm.ee 6 points 1 day ago

Well at least not according to the legal view of the tax authorities.. from what I have heard anecdotally over the years about german tax authorities, they seem to be very much not living in a 21st century digital world.

[–] NineMileTower@lemmy.world 14 points 2 days ago

This is exciting for Mastodon's user, I'm sure.

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 days ago

See also this comment in the other thread: https://lemmy.world/comment/14448522

[–] greenshirtdenimjeans@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago

Is this similar to what Proton did?

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Is the money getting what it wants or is this making sure the money is quieter? I don't understand.

Last year, the company formed a U.S.-based non-profit to get more funds and grants with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone on the board. At the same time, the organization lost its non-profit status in Germany at the same time.

While Mastodon relies on donations and sponsorships to operate, Bluesky, its main competitor working on a rival decentralized network, is reportedly raising a new funding round from investors at a $700 million valuation.

The blog post noted that the new Europe-based non-profit entity will wholly own the Mastodon GmbH for-profit entity. The organization is in the process of finalizing the place where the new entity will be set up.

[–] pdxfed@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

OpenAI's events of last year has me just slightly less than impressed at the ability of a non-profit board/org to be able to contain/control the wild efforts of capital when it matters.