Comment Articles

Proprietary software: A defence

John Carroll ZDNet.com

Published: 16 Dec 2003 16:35 GMT

Why is this the case? The reason, quite simply, is that it is harder to sell something when a "secret" isn't involved (in this case, the source code), and when there is no restriction on subsequent redistribution of the final product. This revenue-unfriendly model is by design in the case of GPLed software, as even a casual reading of the writings of Richard Stallman, author of the GPL, should make clear. "If we take away the possibility of great wealth, then after a while, when the people have readjusted their attitudes, they will once again be eager to work in the field for the joy of accomplishment" (Stallman, Why Software Should be Free). What is questionable, however, is whether countries with an interest in domestic production, and the foreign investment and local jobs that entails, should subscribe to this.

Proprietary software exists for one simple reason: as a means of enabling software as such to generate revenue. When software generates profit, it enables companies to grow, attracts investment (as investors prefer profitable companies as a place to put their money) and enables those companies to grow into tremendous sources of innovation and local employment.

I'm not saying that governments shouldn't use open-source software. As I explained in a past article, "harvesting" the productivity of people willing to work for free is good for society. Furthermore, in cases where initial cost creates a choice between no IT solution and a free IT solution, open source is a very good option. However, harvesting the productivity of people motivated by financial return is ALSO useful, particularly given that such people account for the majority of programmers. Most companies associated with software creation rely on the revenue potential of proprietary software licensing, and ALL the largest (and most job-creating) software companies do.

In other words, it is important to support BOTH the proprietary and open-source development model in procurement practices, simply because both are sources of innovation that governments have an interest in encouraging. An open-source mandate on government procurement would merely serve to undermine the development of domestic software companies, the sort who might replace foreign sources of software if they could generate enough revenue to grow into larger companies.