This Time We Mean It: Open Source Software Still Doesn't Violate Antitrust Law
from the this-again? dept
Some people just never give up. Take, for example, the case of a guy who didn't like open source software because it made it more difficult for him to sell software. Last year, he sued the Free Software Foundation, claiming that the GPL open source license was "invalid" and was "fixing prices." It didn't take long for that case was dismissed. The guy also filed a case against IBM, Red Hat and Novell, which a judge also tossed out while trying to explain to the guy the finer points of antitrust law, including the fact that you need to actually show how the market has been harmed. The judge noted that just because one competitor can't compete, that does not prove the market has been harmed at all, saying: "Antitrust laws are for 'the protection of competition, not competitors.'" Apparently, that lesson didn't sink in, and the guy appealed. But it should come as no surprise to find out that the Appeals Court has also dismissed the complaint, while once again trying to get across to the guy that just because he hasn't figured out how to compete, it doesn't mean that open source software is anti-competitive. The court notes numerous examples of companies who have been able to sell against free or open source products to show that open source software does not, inherently create a monopoly position at all. Hopefully we've now heard the end of such cases, but given his persistence so far, I wouldn't bet on it.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Let it go to the top
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Maybe...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
$0 vs $695
Yet the Microsoft version sells.
Admitedly, if you are in the business of overpriced web based email or task list or calendar, yes, things are a little harder...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Some perspective point of view
Let me try to explain it:
Since Linux and other New Open Source came in place,
Open Sourse enhance, empower, fuelling the competition.
I'ts important to point out that the many Operational System or Office Systems can be free, but the support is not. You'll need to pay a fee to an annual support. Also, you'll see many systems around open source not free. Yes, some more sofisticated are charged.
What differs is the manner to do business and make money.
Ask for the guys at IBM, Novel, etc if they are doing money or not ???
Unfortunately some people can't get it.
Cheers~
[ link to this | view in thread ]