Intellect, the trade association for the high-tech industry, welcomes the publication of the Government Action Plan on Open Source, Open Standards and Re-Use. Intellect and the IT Supplier community have been working with Government over the past 12 months to promote re-use across Government and help Government to achieve maximum value from its investments in IT. This Action Plan is an important initiative to take forward the debate around open source and open standards. We are particularly encouraged to see that the plan includes commitments to:
1. openness in procurement, and publication of the guidance procurers will use
2. seeking innovation from whatever source it can be found
3. the level playing field principle
4. the focus on seeking to re-use existing assets and capabilities wherever possible
5. working closely with industry in taking this forward.
We support the government’s policy that Open Source should be used where it makes business sense, where it provides best value for money and where it delivers the best solution & outcomes. Innovation and value-for-money can come from both open source and more traditional software business models. It is in the government’s, economy’s and UK software sector’s interest that the opportunity to compete for public sector business is available to software companies regardless of their business model. Open standards are fundamental for ensuring interoperability across government, a crucial factor for a joined-up government. It is critical that the government use internationally recognised, industry standards where possible and ensure that any standard works with all software development models. Re-use of existing assets and capabilities will avoid unnecessary cost and increase standardisation and drive departments to work together to deliver best value for the taxpayer.
We look forward to working with government to take the action plan forward, developing guidance and addressing the issues around licensing policies, pan-government licensing agreements and ownership of IPR.