Do Lawyers Need To Know About Open Source?

Link: Techdirt: The Open Source Model Is About Organization, Not Who Signs Your Paycheck. Most lawyers wouldn't know an open source project from an alien. However, since open source is contributed to by some of the leading software programmers at some of the leading corporations, in their spare time, lawyers should educate themselves. The frugal lawyer will examine open source alternatives for all software programs, just as a way to save money. Open source means that volunteers work on the source code, for no pay, and just for intellectual curiosity, or for a particular individual or corporate need. Perhaps the most famous open source project is Linus Torvalds' Linux operating system. Linux is the basis for the free Ubuntu OS, which is, in some opinions, superior to Windows and Apple's versions of an operating system. Software, like information on the net, wants to be free.

Comments

[Chris Bumgarner]

Everyone, not just lawyers, needs to know about open source software. But you are mistaken to think that open source is about frugality or saving money. It is true that open source software can save a bundle of money. But if you focus on the law cost then you are missing a huge part of the benefits that open source provides. Many believe that the open source development model produces superior software. Others will also hold that it is all about the user's freedom to use and modify the software as they wish.

For more information, check out http://www.opensource.org/ or
http://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software

Chris