In 1998, Netscape released most of its code base for it popular Netscape Communicator browser suite under an open license. Around the same time, the Mozilla Organisation was formed, and they would later go on to release the first Mozilla Bowser, which would later surpass its predecessor Netscape in terms of  features, stability and standards compliance. This development continued under the AOL banner until 2003, when it was passed over to the newly formed not-for profit Mozilla Foundation.