The Importance of Open Source Software Networking 2002 Washington, D.C. April 18, 2002 Carol A. Kunze Napa, California

Open Source Software What is it? Implications and Policy Issues

Open Source Software License: source code freely copy freely modify (make derivative works) freely distribute original or modified version

Open Source Software Modular Free Fee for medium, services, manual

Open Source Software – 101 Who writes open source software? individuals non-profit organizations companies Collaborative process

Open Source Software – 101 How is it Distributed? Free download Corporate Distribution Third Party Distribution

Open Source Software Who Says its Open Source? Open Source Initiative non-profit organization keeper of the OSD software certification process Free Software Foundation non profit organization creates GNU software author of the GPL

Open Source Software – 101 Licenses Corporate BSD GPL

Open Source Software Licenses The GPL (General Public License) used on 70% of all open source software derivative works or works containing code subject to the GPL must be distributed under the GPL = copyleft

Open Source Software Relationship to commercial law Non-contractual permission notice Enforced by the copyright holder

Open Source Software Relationship to commercial law UCITA and the GPL Warranties

OSS - Implications and Policy Issues The Control Issue Who’s in charge?

OSS - Implications and Policy Issues Quality Security

OSS - Implications and Policy Issues Government use 1 st Amendment Networking Saving civilization

The Open Source Approach in Other Disciplines Working collaboratively Freely sharing information Allowing further use without profit