[consulting] US Lobby Groups Attacks Open Source

[Sami Khan]

Guys,

I thought since all of you are users of open source software, you should
be aware of this if you are not already. It's a few months old, but
still relevant:

The actual report can be found here:
http://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/1906

It's basically American corporate interests coming after Argentina,
Canada, India, China, Russia, etc.

"It turns out that the International Intellectual Property Alliance, an
umbrella group for organisations including the MPAA and RIAA, has
requested with the US Trade Representative to consider countries like
Indonesia, Brazil and India for its "Special 301 watchlist" because they
use open source software."

"What's Special 301? It's a report that examines the "adequacy and
effectiveness of intellectual property rights" around the planet -
effectively the list of countries that the US government considers
enemies of capitalism. It often gets wheeled out as a form of trading
pressure - often around pharmaceuticals and counterfeited goods - to try
and force governments to change their behaviours."


Read the article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/feb/23/opensource-intellectual-property

Regards,
Sami