They got free testing for the promise of releasing the source, then failed to fulfill that promise, so... yeah, they do owe those people something.
Case and point? If they're not being compensated, they have no obligations to anyone. "Free testing" isn't compensation unless they plan to monetize it later using improvements from that testing.
Oh, legally they have no obligations unless written so in a binding contract. Ever seen a failed Kickstarter or a cancelled Patreon? No obligations, even if they get compensated in USD. Plenty of those out there.
Morally, the people giving that free testing and community building are still owed what they were promised, no less no more.
They got free testing for the promise of releasing the source, then failed to fulfill that promise, so... yeah, they do owe those people something.
Case and point? If they're not being compensated, they have no obligations to anyone. "Free testing" isn't compensation unless they plan to monetize it later using improvements from that testing.
Oh, legally they have no obligations unless written so in a binding contract. Ever seen a failed Kickstarter or a cancelled Patreon? No obligations, even if they get compensated in USD. Plenty of those out there.
Morally, the people giving that free testing and community building are still owed what they were promised, no less no more.