[AktiviX] The Economics of Open Source Software - Prospects, Pitfalls and Politics [tbm at cyrius.com]

[Drew]

On 14 Jan 2004 at 23:21, Alan Dawson wrote:

> Recd from another mailing list 
>  
> The argument seems to lead to its final clause "promotion of open-source 
> software cannot be an economically justifiable role for the state" inexorabley, 
> but I'm sure there are a number of flaws in arguments.  It seems to paint the 
> software market in too broad brush strokes.   
>  
> "Open Source Software does not represent a suitable alternative to the 
> > commercial software market from an economic point of view, neither in 
> > terms of creating value-added nor in terms of economic efficiency.... As far
>>  as packaged software is concerned its free 
> > availability very much limits the creation of profits, income, jobs or 
> > taxes...." 

If people believe free software is anarchist and/or anti-capitalist then all 
this follows inexorably!

Based on the abstract you included the argument painted in this paper 
seems little more sophisticated than "We think free software is actually a 
threat to the ability of corporations and the state to exploit intellectual 
property in software." 

Which suggests they've grasped some basic points, at least. 

Drew