Cassandra is an open-source distributed NoSQL database management system. It was initially developed by Facebook for inbox search functionality and later released as an open-source project. Since then, it has been developed and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation.

Key Points about the Ownership of Cassandra Database:

1. Apache Software Foundation:

The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) is a non-profit organization that oversees the development of open-source software, including Cassandra. As an Apache project, Cassandra is owned by the ASF and governed by the Apache Cassandra Project Management Committee (PMC).

2. Community Collaboration:

While the ASF technically owns the Cassandra project, the development and maintenance of the database are carried out by a diverse community of contributors. These contributors come from various organizations and individuals who are passionate about improving and enhancing Cassandra.

3. DataStax:

DataStax is a company that provides commercial support and services for Apache Cassandra. While DataStax contributes to the Cassandra project, it does not own the database. DataStax offers a distribution of Cassandra called DataStax Enterprise (DSE), which includes additional features and tools on top of the open-source Cassandra.

4. Individual Contributors:

Many individual developers and organizations contribute to the Cassandra project by writing code, fixing bugs, improving documentation, and providing support on forums and mailing lists. These individual contributors play a crucial role in the ongoing development and success of Cassandra.

5. No Single Owner:

Unlike proprietary software where a single company or individual owns the codebase, Cassandra is a community-driven project with no single owner. This decentralized ownership model helps ensure that the database remains open, transparent, and independent of any single entity.

6. Licensing:

Cassandra is distributed under the Apache License 2.0, which is a permissive open-source license. This licensing model allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute the Cassandra codebase without restrictions, as long as they comply with the terms of the license.

7. Future Development:

The future development of Cassandra is guided by the Apache Cassandra PMC, which sets the strategic direction for the project. The PMC welcomes contributions from the community and strives to ensure that Cassandra continues to evolve and meet the needs of its users.

In conclusion, while the Apache Software Foundation technically owns the Cassandra project, the database is truly a community effort with contributions from individuals, organizations, and companies like DataStax. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in the success and widespread adoption of Cassandra as a leading NoSQL database solution.