Vietnam chooses open source to offset piracy
Vietnam's open source push follows a government crackdown on copyright violation, including raids on companies found to be using pirated software. Government surveys carried out on computer businesses have revealed that use of pirated software is widespread. However, several companies have taken the lead in using legal software.
Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communication has recommended government agencies use open source software when using state moneys to implement information technology projects, local newspaper Vietnam News reported Friday.
The ministry has issued a list of open source software, including OpenOffice, Thunderbird, Firefox and Unikey.
A ministry official refused to comment on whether the move was made as a means of reducing software infringement in Vietnam or stimulating demand for research.
Piracy Rampant
The open source push follows a government crackdown on copyright violation, including raids on companies found to be using pirated software.
Government surveys carried out on computer businesses have revealed that use of pirated software is widespread.
However, several companies have taken the lead in using legal software.
Better Than Paying
According to the Vietnam Informatics Association, the country would have to pay a gigantic amount of money for the mass purchase of software copyrights.
The association, therefore, suggested the government and the National Steering Committee on Information Technology Development promote the use of open source software in the community, a move recently implemented by many countries, including China, Thailand and India, the newspaper said.
Xinhua - December 28, 2007.
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