ZDNet: MS Leads Anti-Open Source Lobby

"Microsoft and other software companies are ramping up a lobbying effort aimed at convincing governments to think again where it comes to adopting open-source software.

The Initiative for Software Choice, which launched quietly in early May, is chaired by an industry body called the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), but its biggest software industry backer is Microsoft. Supporters also include Intel and software industry groups from countries such as France, Germany and Peru.

"The initiative takes aim squarely at what has become one of the major themes in the software business this year: government use of open-source software, best known as the development model behind the Linux operating system. Governments in France, Germany, Peru and other countries have passed or are considering bills that would encourage the use of open-source software in the public sector..."

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• The Register: MS 'Software Choice' Scheme a Clever Fraud(Aug 12, 2002)
• The Star (Malaysia): Two on Government's Endorsement of Open Source(Aug 10, 2002)
• CW360.com: Public Sector IT Chiefs Welcome Whitehall's Open Source Stance(Aug 01, 2002)
• Wired: Microsoft's Big Stick in Peru(Jul 29, 2002)
• The Inquirer: Taiwan Government Gives Linux a Big Boost(Jul 27, 2002)
• Die Welt: How Hunzinger Lobbied the Bundestag against Linux(Jul 26, 2002)