Open Source policy

UK Government levels the playing field for Open Source

London: 24 February 2009

The UK Cabinet Office has published a new policy on Open Source software. Press release CAB/013/09, 24 February 2009 states:

“Minister for Digital Engagement, Tom Watson, said the new policy reflects changes to both the Open Source market and the Government’s approach to IT. It sets out ten actions that will make sure of a level playing field for Open Source Software, and encourage the use of Open Standards.”

The Forward to the policy states:

Open Source has been one of the most significant cultural developments in IT and beyond over the last two decades: it has shown that individuals, working together over the Internet, can create products that rival and sometimes beat those of giant corporations; it has shown how giant corporations themselves, and Governments, can become more innovative, more agile and more cost-effective by building on the fruits of community work; and from its IT base the Open Source movement has given leadership to new thinking about intellectual property rights and the availability of information for re–use by others.