Open source software under attack
I read an article on the Guardian's website about an attack on free open source software by a US trade watchdog group.
The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) has requested that the US Trade Representative place countries which use open source software on the "Special 301 watchlist".
What's that you say? Apparently, it's a list of the countries that the US considers enemies of capitalism.
Hardly a surprising move from a group whose aim is to protect American jobs by fighting "market access barriers," but I think this one is a bit out of line.
Indonesia is their newest target, for having the nerve to suggest in March 2009 that the government migrate to open source software to cut down on software spending and reduce software copyright violations.
The IIPA report states,"the measure will create additional trade barriers and deny fair and equitable market access to software companies."
Hold the phone - the Indonesian government, like everyone else, has the right to choose whichever product they wish. It is a fair choice, and a smart one, in my opinion.
Indonesia also had the gall to introduce "the requirement to locally manufacture film prints and home videos in Indonesia."
Oh, so they don't have to buy it from the US anymore? Well, that has to be criminal. How dare they give jobs to their own people!
Hopefully, the US Trade Rep will see this for what it is... absolute rubbish. The free market is a right to choice, and if a free option is the best, then that is that.
I use a fair bit of open source software. My favourite is probably Audacity - it does everything I need to do audio-wise and it's completely free. Do try.
Open source an enemy of capitalism? Please. As an astute commenter on the Guardian article points out, the Whitehouse's website runs on Linux. That makes the US its own worst enemy.
What do you think? Is open source software a threat to software publishers? Are these recommendations justified? Could the New Zealand government benefit from going open source?
» Join Connector on Facebook, Twitter @lukeappleby or Email Luke at connectornz@gmail.com
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Open Source is the way to go and I am at a loss as to why more countries are not taking it up. You can have a brilliant OS running for free with software which is better than MS and it does not suffer from worm attacks like MS. I believe that the NASA Space program runs on Unix from which Linux is derived. I use Linux Ubuntu 9.04 and love it.
I think that a lot of government work would benefit from open source software. It has a lot of benefits in cost safety from malware and comparative ease of use. Microsoft and Apple are greesdy firms and bullies.
Open Source can't be an enemy of capitalism... we extensively use it, and our Open Source Vendors charge us a VERY large fee to support their heavy customisation of Open Source base programs... and don't get me started on the issues of Java compatibility... another "open platform"...
This really doesn't deserve the attention it's getting.... It's pretty much just an outrageous troll.
New Zealand has already been heading down Open Source way for quite some time now.
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/00A78590A3A229DBCC2570A40021DC61
GIMP is a great Adobe Photo shop alternative.
I've set-up both MS & linux based systems and have found as wazza said, you'll still have to pay someone to get opensource done properly(=capitalisim, surely?). Linux is only "free" if your time is worth nothing.
My objection to Open Source software is people who use it as freeware, and don't pay by contributing to the community. That's just piracy by another name.
Perhaps one of stuffs intrepid reporters could do a follow up story on the take up of open source software by Government Departments.
Parents don't want son's killer in town
'Naughty' toilet traps terrified toddler
Million-dollar view, shame about the house
Trap for burglars catches policeman
Brothel scares and stresses neighbourhood
Degrassi star died five years ago
Daily trivia quiz: February 18
Banking on return of blue magic
Bid to scrap race relations office
'Naughty' toilet traps terrified toddler
Wellington earthquake fear: No way in or out
High cost of living mars return to NZ
Cathedral repair bill intimidating
Which theme is worse: Bones or NCIS?
There is an awful lot of money being made from open source software. But it's great to hear that entire countries are looking at options to DRM laden crapware.