---
title: Open source should not be forced by governments
date: "2002-09-27T12:00:00Z"
categories:
  - links
wp_id: 1134
description: I examine the Initiative for Software Choice’s stance against government-mandated open source. While meritocracy is a valid goal, their corporate funding reveals a self-serving push to protect proprietary software markets from legislative interference.
keywords: [initiative for software choice, open source, government policy, software procurement, meritocracy, proprietary software, lobbying]
---

[Open source should not be forced by governments](http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,55354,00.html), argues the [Initiative for Software Choice](http://www.softwarechoice.org/). Their argument (which open source proponents agree with) is that software should be chosen on merit. But the argument is also self-serving, as the initiative is funded by software companies.