Mastodon used to be for tech-savvy enthusiasts, but thanks to Elon Musk's Twitter buyout it has gained popularity as a possible alternative. If you're just getting to know about this platform, or are already considering making the jump from Twitter to Mastodon but are concerned about another possible buyout, we've got you covered.

Who owns Mastodon? Can it be bought out? These and more are questions we'll answer, so let's dive in.

What Is Mastodon?

Mastodon app photo

Mastodon is a free, open-source, and decentralized social network created in 2016 by Eugen Rochko. It works similarly to Twitter but with several key differences. It has a decentralized architecture that allows interested users to start their own instances or servers.

While Mastodon has traditionally been a platform used by tech-savvy enthusiasts, Elon Musk's Twitter buyout thrust it into the mainstream as a potential Twitter alternative.

Who Owns Mastodon?

Mastodon is owned by Mastodon gGmbH, a Germany-based non-profit founded and run by Eugen Rochko. According to its 2021 annual report, Rochko ran Mastodon as a sole proprietorship until 2021 when he registered the non-profit limited liability company. Mastodon gGmbH is 100% owned by Rochko.

Mastodon gGmbH owns the Mastodon technology as well as the copyright to its brand. You can't use its name or branding on apps created with its software unless under its terms, per its Trademark policy.

However, the Mastodon software is open source, which means the platform's source code is freely available for use and modification by anyone. However, the condition of the license mandates that any resulting software must also be shared under an open-source license.

Can Mastodon Be Bought Out?

image showing mastodon homepage open on a mac

Technically, Mastodon could undergo a sale. Mastodon gGmBH is a non-profit limited liability company, meaning it can be bought or sold. However, the likelihood of this actually happening is slim if the founder's words are to be believed.

In an interview with The Financial Times, Rochko said that he has no intention of selling the platform and had turned down offers from multiple venture capital firms in the past.

Can You Trust Mastodon to Keep Its Independence?

Given the founder's statements and the platform's decentralized nature, it is unlikely that it will be sold or taken over. However, it's always good to remain vigilant in case something changes down the line.

Platform changes like encouraging users to sign up for its own server (mastodon.social) rather than displaying a list of servers upon sign-up have sparked some concern. But for now, there is no evidence that it will become centralized or go up for sale.

Mastodon Ownership Explained

Mastodon is an open-source and decentralized social network owned by Mastodon gGmbH. It remains to be seen whether it can be bought in the future. Vigilance is advised, but for now, there is no evidence to suggest an imminent change in Mastodon's ownership.