Open Source vs. Proprietary Software

Andreas SembrantMahdad DavariMuneeb KhanNikos Nikoleris

Open Source vs. Proprietary Software

• Open Source:– The source code is kept open and free for all so

that everyone can contribute and use– Development is done because programming is fun

• Proprietary Software:– Developed internally by a company– Based on a business plan

Open Source vs. Proprietary Software

• Stallman vs. Johnson (Andreas)• Ethical Egoism (Mahdad)• Utilitarianism (Muneeb)

Stallman vs. JohnsonBetter for society because:

• Less redundant work

• Higher productivity when users can directly contribute

• People will eventually learn to donate money

• Copyright/patents protect the financial investment of the developer

• The purpose of the patent system is not wrong

• Pirating software is stealing

Stallman Johnson

Ethical EgoismRight action is the action that is most advantageous to oneself in the long run

• + Users provide free labor

• - Lose control of the development

• + I can “steal” other people software for free, and extend it.

• + Become rich

• + Maintain control

• - Do everything from scratch

Open Source Proprietary Software

UtilitarianismRight action is the action that maximizes the overall happiness for all

• Free for users (+)

• Less redundant work (+)– Implement new features

instead

• Difficult to use (-)• Boring programming tasks are

ignored (-)

• Economy/Startups (-)– Difficult to attract investors

• Can be expensive to use (-)

• Redundant work (-)– Better to invent new things than

redoing old things

• Easier to use (+)– Developers are paid to also do

boring tasks (e.g., write documentation)

• Economic prospects (+)– More jobs for society – Easier to attract investors

Open Source Proprietary Software

Open Source vs. Proprietary Software

• Stallman vs. Johnson: Not clear

• Ethical Egoism: Not clear

• Utilitarianism: Not clear

• At the moment, the largest investment returns comes from proprietary software– but this trend is slowly shifting since more companies are

providing open source software (e.g., google, android)