According to a University of Edinburgh lecturer, Anders Guadamuz, an influential lobby group is asking the US government to consider open source software as an equivalent to piracy.

Guardian technology blogger, Bobbie Johnson, writes that to the astonishment of many, the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) has asked the US Trade Representative to consider countries like Indonesia, Brazil and India to be watched closely because of their use of open software.

Called, “Special 301 watchlist”, the report examines the “adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights” around the world – or as Johnson puts it, in countries that the US government considers as enemies of capitalism.

An example is given of a circular sent out by the Indonesian government to encourage government organisations to use open source software. According to a statement by the IIPA this “weakens the software industry and fails to build respect for intellectual property rights”.

The decision strikes Johnson as a funny one, especially when the British government has said it will boost the use of open source.

In addition, a comment posted on the blog points out that Whitehouse’s website runs on Linux. As Luke Appleby notes on his blog, on stuff.co.nz, this essentially makes the US its own worst enemy.

Source: The Guardian, Stuzz.co.nz