[LINK] Quebec sued for buying Microsoft software

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Quebec sued for buying Microsoft software
By Egan Orion
29 August 2008 08:08AM
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/83577,quebec-sued-for-buying-microsoft-software.aspx

Quebec's government has been sued by an Open Source software group for 
buying Microsoft products while ignoring free software alternatives, it 
came to light Wednesday.

In a lawsuit filed on July 15th and just lately made public, Quebec's 
Open Source software association Facil said that the provincial 
government had refused to consider competitive bids from all software 
providers, but had instead abused a legal loophole to buy software 
exclusively from proprietary vendors, specifically Microsoft and Oracle.

Facil claims government buyers are getting around provincial laws 
requiring competitive bidding and local source preferences by misusing 
an exception that allows purchasers to buy directly from proprietary 
vendors when no other options are available.

Facil's president Mathieu Lutfy told the CBC, "It shouldn't be the rule. 
It goes against the public markets policy of the government, which 
requires them to stimulate competition and look for local alternatives. 
It's really an absurdity."

The Open Sauce group said Quebec paid Microsoft US$25 million just 
between February and June, and estimates it is spending US$80 million 
per year for Windows Vista licences alone.

Lutfy said, "Those are costs that could be saved."

Facil's lawsuit asks that the Quebec government be barred from misusing 
the proprietary loophole and be required to entertain competing 
proposals. It is not seeking any damages, but does request legal costs.

Quebec government procurement officials reportedly could not be reached 
for comment.

theinquirer.net (c) 2008 Incisive Media

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au