MySQL founder creates Open Database Alliance

The ODA will consist of a set of companies offering software, support and services for MariaDB, an enterprise-grade, community-developed branch of MySQL. MySQL services company Percona is the first to join.

"Our goal with the ODA is to provide a central clearing house for MySQL development, to encourage a true open development environment with community participation, and to ensure that MySQL code remains extremely high quality," said Widenius.

"Participating members at this stage will have a strong voice in how the organisation is structured, and we look forward to collaborating with anyone in the industry that provides or depends on MySQL."

Sun bought the group behind MySQL last year, and Widenius stayed with the company to resolve problems with MySQL 5.1. However, he quit in February citing the slow pace of Sun.

The ODA will be trying to consolidate MySQL talent in the face of Oracle's acquisition of Sun. Oracle is one of the main competitors to MySQL, and some in the development community fear that the company will do its best to sabotage the database.