[ Thanks to Jose_X
for this link. ]
“The main conclusion of the analysis was that FOSS
software plays a more critical role in the DoD than has generally
been recognized. FOSS applications are most important in four broad
areas: Infrastructure Support, Software Development, Security, and
Research. One unexpected result was the degree to which Security
depends on FOSS… Taken together, these factors imply that banning
FOSS would have immediate, broad, and strongly negative impacts on
the ability of many sensitive and security-focused DoD groups to
defend against cyberattacks.“Free software also is crucial to the business of many modern
technology companies, including IBM and Novell. These companies may
claim patents are necessary for their software businesses, but in
many ways they actually rely on and profit from software produced
by those with no interest in patents.“The Foundation asserts that software patents hinder the
progress of software development and distribution, are unjust and
cause deleterious socioeconomic effects upon the advancement of
technology in the United States for society’s benefit. The
Foundation further takes the position that computer software
patents do not “promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts,”
and therefore are not constitutionally justified.”