Use of Copyright By Open Source Software Movement on Computer Software and its Implications

Abstract

Open source software and the movement behind it, the Open Source Software Movement unknown to many has been in existence since long. Discussed in the article is this concept with relevance to the software industry. The US statutes on intellectual property law provide the backdrop of discussion, for this is where the movement, the organizations and the forefathers behind the fostering of the movement owe their origin. Through this article, some of the licensing schemes under open sourcing, which have turned out to be the buzzwords in the computer software industry are also brought into limelight. A look into how the movement assists in the development of the software industry and the long-term implications, the movement could pose for the copyright protection of computer software, are also considered.

Keywords: open source, copyright, software, GNU, GPL,legal, intellectual property

JEL Classification: K19, K20, K30, K39