3scale and API Evangelist have announced plans to launch an API Commons. Similar to the Creative Commons, which hosts photos and graphics that can be freely used and shared, the API Commons will host API code that can be freely reused by developers. APIs released through the commons would carry a standard Creative Commons license.
“Everyone wants to know the best way to create an API, so having copyright-free resources that could help show the patterns behind good API design would make a difference,” said API Commons co-founder Steve Willmott. “Second, if there was shared source code across common APIs, it would be easier for developers to get on board and start creating services and integrations using your specific API.”
