The OpenSSL toolkit is licensed under an Apache-style licence. Versions of OpenSSL are available for most Unix-like operating systems including Linux and Mac OS X.

What is it?
Open SSL is an open source implementation of the 'SSL' and 'TLS' protocols. Based on the excellent SSLeay library developed by Eric A. Young and Tim J. Hudson.

The software based toolkit is licensed under an Apache-style licence, which basically means that you are free to download it and use it for commercial and non-commercial purposes subject to some simple license conditions.

Versions of 'OpenSSL' are available for most Unix-like operating systems (including Linux and Mac OS X), and also, perhaps more surprisingly, for Microsoft Windows.

How does it work?
The OpenSSL Project is a collaborative effort to develop a robust, commercial-grade, full-featured toolkit; implementing the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL v2/v3) and Transport Layer Security (TLS v1) protocols. The project's central aim is to develop a full-strength general purpose cryptography library; managed by a worldwide community of volunteers that use the Internet to communicate, plan, and develop the toolkit and its related documentation all within their own time.

Creators
The volunteers have no specific requirement other than a potential willingness to really contribute. The OpenSSL project is formed by a development team, which over time has grown with other developers and other major contributors.

Anyone wanting to join the development effort can subscribe to the developers mailing list here. Giving relative information on what you feel you can help with or alternatively, a list of your skills. This is where all development efforts are coordinated.