Why did Google release WebP as open source?

There are several reasons why Google released WebP as an open-source format:

• Faster Web: A primary goal was to improve web performance. WebP offers significantly smaller file sizes compared to JPEG and PNG formats for similar image quality. This translates to faster loading times for websites, improving user experience. By making it open source, Google encouraged wider adoption and ultimately a faster web for everyone.
• Innovation and Collaboration: Open sourcing WebP fostered collaboration from the developer community. Developers could contribute to the format's development, propose improvements, and fix bugs. This collaborative approach accelerates innovation and leads to a more robust and feature-rich format.
• Competition and Standardization: At the time of WebP's release (2010), there were competing image formats with licensing issues or limitations. Open sourcing WebP encouraged competition and pushed the boundaries of image compression technology. Additionally, it made WebP a potential standard for web graphics, as other browser vendors could easily integrate it without licensing hurdles.
• Free to Use and Implement: Making WebP open source allows anyone to use and implement it for free. This removes barriers for developers and website owners, making it easier to adopt the format and enjoy its benefits.
• Transparency and Trust: Open sourcing the code allows anyone to inspect how WebP works. This transparency fosters trust in the format and encourages developers to feel comfortable using it.

Overall, Google's decision to release WebP as open source had several strategic benefits. It aimed to improve web performance, drive innovation, encourage competition, and ultimately create a better web experience for everyone.