Vic shoots himself in foot: was Re: [LINK] SAP slams open source 'socialism'

[Brendan Scott]

Deus Ex Machina wrote:
> SAP slams open source 'socialism'
> 
> http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39236750,00.htm
> 
> http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=02200000IIXC
> 
> "Intellectual property (IP) socialism is the worst that can happen to
> any IP based society. And we are an IP based society. If there is no way
> to protect IP, there is no reason to invest in IP."
> 
> removing software as property would demolish the software industry
> and reduce programers to beggars on the streets just like ashdowns man
> begging for food. this beggar is party to and shares an enourmous
> common wealth of open source software, yet he cant use a single line of any 
> of that code to put food on the table.


(1) Why is this under the bom site thread?


(2) I think you are all alone in this view.  Not even Shai Agassi is with you here.  He expressly distinguishes "Open source" from "IP socialism".


I LOVE Open Source---Really! Shai Agassi Company: SAP 

http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/weblogs?blog=/pub/wlg/1700


In summary, I personally believe, support and exercise many of the traits and actions shared by the Open Source community, and the company I work for stands for the same beliefs. We are not fanatics about the movement (we're only fanatical about making our customers successful), but believe it generates value for customers at its core. SAP contributes and support many Open Source projects, and I personally help the community and its visionary leaders on many occasions. I don't think you have to be an Open Source fanatic to be accepted by the community at large, and I would hope our point of view would be recognized by the Open Source community, and that our actions speak loudly and positively for myself and for SAP.