Download This Paper Open PDF in Browser
Add Paper to My Library
Permalink
Using the URL or DOI link below will ensure access to this page indefinitely
Copy URL
Copy URL

Software Piracy and Linux Adoption

11 Pages Posted: 7 Feb 2016 Last revised: 24 Feb 2016

See all articles by Arne Gramstad

Arne Gramstad

Oslo Economics

Date Written: February 23, 2016

Abstract

The open-source software operating system Linux is a free-of-charge substitute to proprietary systems like Microsoft Windows. By using a cross-country data set, this paper finds evidence that increased piracy of proprietary software has a negative impact on adoption of desktop versions of Linux. The interpretation of this result is that the availability of pirated versions of Windows, as well as pirated applications compatible with Windows and OS-X, lead to fewer individuals installing a Linux operating system on their desktop computers. Thus, in the absence of software piracy, Linux would be a more widely used operating system.

Keywords: Open-source software, software piracy, intellectual property

JEL Classification: L11, L17, O34

Suggested Citation

Gramstad, Arne, Software Piracy and Linux Adoption (February 23, 2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2728248 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2728248

Arne Gramstad (Contact Author)

Oslo Economics ( email )

Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1
Oslo, 0160
Norway

Download This Paper Open PDF in Browser

Register to save articles to
your library

Register

Paper statistics

Downloads
834
rank
27,580
Abstract Views
4,911
PlumX Metrics
!

Under construction: SSRN citations will be offline until July when we will launch a brand new and improved citations service, check here for more details.

For more information

Related eJournals