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News article13 November 2019

Launch of study on the relationship between open source software and standardisation

In a fresh study, we explore the interaction between the two communities and provide recommendations for them and policy makers.

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A closer cooperation between open source software and standardisation communities could boost innovation and in turn, welfare and economic growth.

In a fresh study, we explore the interaction between the two communities and provide recommendations for them and policy makers.

The study, The Relationship between Open Source Software and Standard Setting, will be presented at a dedicated panel discussion at the workshop Open Source Beyond 2020 - Powering a Digital Europe, to be held from 14 to 15 November in Brussels.

Standards and open source development are processes that are both widely adopted in the ICT industry to develop innovative technologies and drive their adoption in the market. Innovators and policy makers assume that a closer collaboration between standards and open source software development would be mutually beneficial.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between standard development organisations (SDOs) and open source software (OSS) communities. The analysis is based on 20 case studies, a survey of stakeholders involved in SDOs and OSS communities, an expert workshop, and a comprehensive review of the literature.

Policy context

In its initiative Setting out the EU approach to Standard Essential Patents, the Commission announced the funding of a study to analyse complementarities, ways of interacting and differences between open source and standardisation processes and to recommend solutions for smooth collaboration between standardisation and open source communities.

Our study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the motivators and inhibitors of a closer collaboration between organisations representing the two communities. It completes a series of JRC studies in the field of standardisation and intellectual property rights released in the last years.

Related Content

Workshop:

Open Source Beyond 2020 - Powering a Digital Europe Workshop

Communication:

Setting out the EU approach to Standard Essential Patents’ (COM(2017) 712 final)

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Details

Publication date
13 November 2019