OpenSourceSeeds (OSS) is a European initiative of the German Association for AgriCulture and Ecology (Agrecol), launched in April 2017. It pursues the objective to protect agricultural seeds as commons. It helps to establish a commons-based seed sector as a second pillar next to the private seed sector. The initiative has four core components: (1) licensing new varieties open-source and documenting them in a database; (ii) propagating and introducing OS seeds to the market; (iii) raising public awareness for seeds as a common good; and (iv) research and Development on new concepts to finance non-private (IPR-free) plant breeding. Currently, it has 9 new varieties/populations licensed open source (3 tomato varieties, 3 wheat varieties, 1 sweetcorn, 1 pepper and 1 potato variety). These OS varieties are listed in sales catalogues. Lessons learned include that plant breeders to use the license takes time, developing new financing concepts for plant breeding is a key issue for success, and the principle of seeds as commons is quite popular among consumers.