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On the role of public policies supporting Free/Open Source software. An European perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Comino
  • Fabio M. Manenti
  • Alessandro Rossi

Abstract

Governments� interest in Free/Open Source (F/OS) software is steadily increasing. Several policies aimed at supporting Free/Open Source (F/OS) software have been taken or are currently under discussion all around the world. In this paper, we review the basic (economic) rationales for such policy interventions and we present some summary statistics on policies taken within the European countries. We claim that in order to evaluate correctly the consequences of such interventions one has to consider both the role and the administrative level at which such decision are taken as well as the typology of software which is involved. Moreover, we argue that the level playing field cannot be taken for granted in software markets. Therefore, non-intrusive public policies that currently prevail at the European level in terms, for instance, of the promotion of open standards or in terms of campaigns aimed at informing IT decision�makers, are likely to be welfare enhancing.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Comino & Fabio M. Manenti & Alessandro Rossi, 2006. "On the role of public policies supporting Free/Open Source software. An European perspective," Department of Economics Working Papers 0601, Department of Economics, University of Trento, Italia.
    • Handle: RePEc:trn:utwpde:0601
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Rentocchini & Dimitri Tartari, 2011. "An analysis of the adoption of OSS by local public administrations: Evidence from the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy," Openloc Working Papers 1101, Public policies and local development.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Free/open source software; public policies; software market;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L63 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Microelectronics; Computers; Communications Equipment

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