Information Society Watch

2005, Giancarlo Nuti Stefanuto & Sergio Salles-Filho

The purpose of this study was to carry out a preliminary survey of the technical and economic organisation of the use of free software and open source (FS/OS) in Brazil. Integral to this objective was: an identification of the main markets and business models related to FS/OS; a survey of FS/OS capabilities within the country (developers, specialised companies, etc.); consumer and user surveys; identification of the appropriability conditions involved in FS/OS; and other supplementary assets which are essential for FS/OS development and use. After presenting the general FS/OS situation nationally and internationally, the paper identifies and analyses the social, economic, and technical profile of developers (individuals and companies), including their fields of operation and entrepreneurial profile, and also identifies and analyzes the technical and socioeconomic profile of users, including individuals, entrepreneurs and companies. Chapter four delves into the economic dimensions of FS/OS, while the concluding chapter discusses the importance of policy issues in promoting FS/OS in Brazil (Adapted from authors).

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