Public Subsidies for Open Source? Some Economic Policy Issues of the Software Market

Schmidt, Klaus M.; Schnitzer, Monika (2003): Public Subsidies for Open Source? Some Economic Policy Issues of the Software Market. Discussion Paper / Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), 3793

Abstract

This Paper discusses the economic merits of direct or indirect governmental support for open source projects. Software markets differ from standard textbook markets in three important respects that may give rise to market failures: (i) large economies of scale, (ii) crucially important innovations, (iii) significant network effects and switching costs. We analyse the differences between proprietary software and open source software with respect to these market features and ask whether open source as an alternative to proprietary software can mitigate these problems. Then we discuss the implications of various forms of governmental support for open source. ; innovation incentives; open source; public goods; public subsidies; software market

• Item Type: Paper (Discussion Paper)
• Faculties: Economics; Economics > Chairs > Seminar for Economic Theory; Economics > Chairs > Seminar for Comparative Economics
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
• Language: English