Open-Source: Public Enemy #1

I was searching Mashable recently looking for interesting story ideas when I came across this tasty little nugget: "Lobby Group Says Open-Source Threatens Capitalism." The piece details the efforts of the International Intellectual Property Alliance, whom we read about in "Information Feudalism", and who also broadly represents the MPAA among others, to curtail the popularity of open-source software globally.  The group recently requested that developed and developing nations including Brazil, India and Indonesia be placed on an international watchlist, which "effectively puts those countries on a shortlist of governments considered “enemies of capitalism” who aren’t doing enough to protect intellectual property abroad." A little harsh, don't you think?

The major bone of contention for the alliance is the tendency for these nation's governments to use, or advocate the use of, open-source software in their governmental departments. What could be no more than a simple cost cutting measure, in the wake of the worst global economic recession since the great depression, has effectively been labeled...wait for it...communism.  The fifties called, they want their Red Scare back.

As we are exploring the issues surrounding intellectual property this week I thought this article a fitting example of the "global expansion of intellectual property systems" (p.5) that Drahos and Braithwaite detail in Information Feudalism.  What I find particularly ironic is that in sanctioning these nations the Alliance is actually behaving like a communist dictatorship as they are essentially stifling competition. The race towards innovation spurred by the open-source movement benefits both producers and consumers. Isn't market competition- which is precisely what open-source software represents in the intellectual property battle - the very cornerstone of capitalism? As such, shouldn't it be encouraged?

The dubious victory of literally killing market competition is ultimately a losing battle for all concerned. Especially when the mere suggestion of cost effective alternatives can be equated with subverting the entire U.S. economic system. Unfortunately as long as profits speak louder than innovation and consumer satisfaction, powerful lobbyist groups like the IIPA will reign like medieval feudal lords - and we get to be the lowly serfs. Well, I must go now. I have to delete all my bookmarks for free online photo editing tools. I would hate to be labeled a terrorist just because I'm too poor to afford PhotoShop.

[img credit: David Erickson]