CNET News: Open-Source Battle Rages in Oregon

“A group of open-source advocates and critics will meet behind
closed doors Wednesday afternoon, in the first of at least two
meetings in search of a compromise on what could be the first bill
in the United States to encourage the use of open-source software
by a state government.

“The bill, introduced by Oregon Rep. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene,
last month, would require the state to consider using open-source
software when buying new programs. Although the bill does not
specifically mandate open-source software over proprietary
software, the bill does say it cannot be excluded from the
selection process. The bill, HB 2892, also says open-source options
can ‘significantly reduce the state’s costs of obtaining and
maintaining software.’

“Although the bill is in a nascent stage, it’s quickly drawn the
ire of companies, including Microsoft and the Initiative for
Software Choice (ISC), a group that’s popped up in the wake of
similar legislative efforts in other countries. Opponents of the
bill say governments can already choose open-source software, and
they worry that the legislation could set a dangerous precedent of
a government mandating certain types of software over
others…”

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