I run a semi-popular open source project (https://romm.app/), and this is a topic we tend to revisit regularly. While there will always have to be someone at the top who owns the project, we've tried to organize ourselves in a way that should prevent a complete hostile takeover:

  * Gihub organization is co-owned (2 Owners)
  * I own the domain, they run the Discord server
  * Finances are handled by https://opencollective.com/
  * All code is GPL or AGPL licensed

In the event either (or both) of us step away, temporarily or permanently, the core team is has the power and permissions to continue running the project indefinitely. While I would be able to remove them as co-owner on Github in a takeover scenario, I won't have access to the finances or the Discord community.

▲ graemep 9 hours ago | parent [-]

> Name and branding are owned by The Project itself

That is only meaningful if the project is a legal entity that can sue, otherwise it means "no one owns it" - which is fine if that is what you want.

	▲	gassi 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		> otherwise it means "no one owns it" - which is fine if that is what you want. Thanks for pointing this out, I removed that line to clarify.