Techworld: Treasury 'Linux Tax' Plans Provoke Anger

"Open source groups have reacted angrily to UK government plans to tax open-source software. A discussion document prepared by parliamentary under-secretary, John Healey and Inland Revenue consultant, Sir Alan Olde-Moody, has proposed a windfall tax on all projects published under the GNU licence--including, most significantly, Linux.

"Apparently hidden within Budget documentation in March, the proposal has led to an outcry and Internet discussion groups are already filled with supporters planning a campaign along the lines of the successful anti-patent rally last year..."

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Related Stories:

• The Guardian: Microsoft Fights for Taxpayers' £100m(Dec 19, 2003)
• eWeek: UK Government Backs Sun's Java Desktop System(Dec 08, 2003)