[p2p-research] Open Source, Open Standards Under Attack In Europe

[Samuel Rose]

Open Source, Open Standards Under Attack In Europe

http://news.slashdot.org/story/10/03/29/2115235/Open-Source-Open-Standards-Under-Attack-In-Europe


(quote)
"A battle for the soul of European IT is taking place behind closed
doors in Brussels. At stake is the key Digital Agenda for Europe, due
to be unveiled in a month's time. David Hammerstein, ex-Member of
European Parliament for the Greens, tweeted last week: 'SOS to
everyone as sources confirm that Kroes is about to eliminate "open
standards" policy from EU digital agenda; Kroes has been under intense
lobbying pressure from Microsoft to get rid of interoperability and
open source goals of EU.' This is confirmed by the French magazine PC
Inpact (Google translation), which also managed to obtain a copy of
the draft Digital Agenda (DOC). It's currently supportive of both open
source and open standards — but for how much longer?"
(end quote)

Comment from Sam:

Wow. This is no longer just about corruption as usual. I think that
reversing away from interoperability/open standards and open source is
fundamentally dangerous to all of the people of Europe. In my mind,
right now is a crucial time for EU to decide the course it will take
in the next 20 years. They will need to create a foundation that is as
adaptable, accessible, and flexible as currently possible for what is
very likely coming (and in a few ways already here).

Not that the US is any different, in fact it's even worse here in some
ways in regards to accessibility, open standards, etc


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Sam Rose
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