The Change Mariner

Microsoft Fumes As Aussies Pass Open Source Bill

The Australian:
...Joining a number of jurisdictions worldwide — including several Brazilian cities — Australia's capital passed Democrats-sponsored legislation designed to give open source software a leg up.

With the Democrats warning the ACT is just the beginning, opponents of open source and Linux, such as Microsoft, are starting to sweat.

Next year the proprietary software makers will face similar legislation in the federal and NSW parliaments.

It's possible the ACT Bill — the Government Procurement (Principles) Guideline Amendment Bill — may have slipped under the radar of the groups that have steadfastly opposed such legislation.

Perhaps they were focusing on South Australian Democrats MP Ian Gilfilian's Bill, which was defeated a week previously. Or perhaps they didn't realise how easy it is to get private members' business through the small ACT Parliament.

Either way, the reaction to the legislation — which modestly calls on government to "consider" open source software in purchasing — has been vehement.

Microsoft labelled the legislation "anti-competitive", and warned that it could damage the Australian software industry.

The legislation — introduced by ACT Democrats MP Roslyn Dundas — was amended by the 17-member Legislative Assembly, and passed with the support of the Greens and Independents.

Ms Dundas' Bill calls for government to "consider" the purchase of open source software in procurement plans. The original version of the Bill would have required the ACT to "prefer" open source software.

A spokeswoman for Microsoft said the company was unhappy with the decision.

"The ACT decision is of concern because it affects all software companies," she said.

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