In 2023, the open-source automation platform Node-RED, originally developed by IBM and released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, became the center of a significant community conflict. Designed as a visual programming tool that enables users to connect devices, APIs, and services through a drag-and-drop interface, Node-RED empowered small business owners, hobbyists, and enterprises alike—allowing non-developers to automate workflows with ease. Its open-source nature fostered a vibrant, collaborative ecosystem where users freely shared ’flows’ and contributed to its evolution. However, growing concerns emerged about IBM’s increasing commercial integration of Node-RED into its proprietary cloud services. While the license itself remained unchanged, the community perceived a shift in governance and priorities, fearing that future development would favor corporate interests over community needs. This sparked widespread anxiety among users who relied on Node-RED for critical operations, from small e-commerce stores automating inventory to manufacturers optimizing production lines. The emotional and practical stakes were high: livelihoods, job security, and personal projects hinged on the tool’s continued accessibility and neutrality. In response, a segment of the community—led by passionate contributors and businesses—began investing energy into independent, community-governed alternatives. Though no single dramatic ’fork’ renamed Node-RED, this movement strengthened existing projects and inspired new initiatives committed to vendor neutrality, transparency, and democratic decision-making. The outcome was not a collapse, but a divergence: the original IBM-backed Node-RED continues to evolve with enterprise support, while a parallel ecosystem of community-driven tools gains momentum, prioritizing open collaboration and freedom from commercial influence. This quiet split reflects a broader tension in open source—balancing innovation and sustainability with the ideals of shared ownership and autonomy. The episode underscores that open source is not just about code, but about trust, governance, and the power of collective action. When users feel their values are at risk, they can—and will—redirect the future of the technology they depend on. Today, both paths coexist, offering users a choice between corporate-backed stability and community-led independence. The lasting impact is a more resilient, pluralistic ecosystem, where competition and transparency serve as checks on power, ensuring that tools like Node-RED remain accessible, adaptable, and truly open. This story illustrates how abstract software decisions ripple through real lives, reinforcing that the future of technology is shaped as much by human values as by technical design.