No one owns the Bitcoin network, just like no one owns the technology behind email. Bitcoin is controlled by all Bitcoin users around the world.

Developers can improve the software, but they cannot forcefully change the rules of the Bitcoin protocol, because all users can freely choose the software they want to use. In order to maintain compatibility with each other, all users also need to choose software that follows the same rules. Only when all users reach a completely unanimous consensus can Bitcoin work properly. Therefore, all users and developers are motivated to accept and protect this consensus.