Free and Open Source Software: Policy and Development Implications
| Title: | Free and Open Source Software: Policy and Development Implications (ID: CSD3440) | | Author(s): | Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development | | Topics: | Open Source, Open Source Policy, OSS | | Origin: | Community Contributions (2004) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | Free and open source software (FOSS) has become an inseparable component of the global technological ecosystem as well as of the current debate on information technology and
development policy. Much of the Internet and a distinguished list of technology businesses use FOSS-based infrastructures for mission-critical tasks. Nevertheless, FOSS is often
insufficiently understood from an economic, human capacity and intellectual property perspective, issues with important development implications. Given a greater awareness and
better understanding of FOSS, Governments may need to adjust their policies, primarily through their e-strategy. The notion that FOSS can have positive externalities makes it an
important consideration in countries with strong development agendas. FOSS has substantial potential for business and commercial use, and for-profit entities may benefit
from exploring FOSS-based solutions. FOSS has triggered thinking on and consideration of issues relating to content provision and consumption in other areas of human activity such
as education, science and creative endeavours, where its contribution is making available a spectrum of solutions for creative work, research and development and knowledge
distribution, in between the proprietary model and the public domain. | | View this resource: | |
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