It’s based on mozilla source code but he is going his own way. Mozilla.org doesn’t get any search ad revenue from it unlike with Firefox.
“Pale Moon (and Moonchild Productions) is in no way associated or affiliated with the Mozilla Corporation or Mozilla Foundation. Pale Moon nor the developer have any ties with Mozilla, financially or otherwise. Mozilla does not benefit from people using Pale Moon.”
“On a more personal note: I do not agree with Mozilla’s management decisions, recent design decisions or the rather upsetting CEO resignation and controversy around it. Even though I personally don’t agree with the ex-CEO’s views, and understand the resistance against it and dissociation people might feel to a company with someone in a leading position actively opposing gay rights, Mozilla’s response of making him immediately resign was a display of severe lack of tolerance for different views.
I believe in freedom, respect, tolerance and choice. I will always attempt to make Pale Moon and the driving forces behind it reflect that, and will not judge anyone on their personal beliefs, so long as they respect my own.”
This statement here is in place to let people know that if they wish to abandon Mozilla products as a result of either disagreement mentioned, they can feel confident in using Pale Moon as an alternative.”