[Ecommerce] Language on Software in WSIS and notes on plenary

[Manon Ress]

Please find the language in July governments=92 draft and September draft
followed by summary of my notes on plenary discussion this morning on the
article dealing  with software and the WSIS declaration of principles.
More when the Plenary resume at 3pm.
Manon

Governements=92 Draft Declaration of Principles 18 July, 2003
http://www.itu.int/wsis/
QUOTE:2)=09Access to information and knowledge
21-22. =09Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression
including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas.
The sharing and strengthening of global knowledge for development can be
enhanced by removing barriers to equitable access to information for
educational, scientific, economic, social, political and cultural
activities and by easing access to public domain information. Such
barriers can be removed by promoting:
-=09open access,
- =09open standards;
-=09the development of multilingual translation software
-=09open source software;
-=09the widespread availability of public access points .
23.=09Access to public domain information: A vibrant and rich public domain
is an essential element for the growth of the Information Society.
Information in the public domain should be easily accessible and
transparent to support the Information Society, and must be protected from
misappropriation. Public institutions such as libraries and archives can
function as trustworthy information brokers to guarantee free access.
[24A.=09Choice among software applications contributes to increased access
and enhanced diversity for software users. Multiple software development
models exist which help promote this principle, including open source
which is a valuable model that supports more affordable access to ICTs. ]

German Civil Society and the Working Group on Patents, Copyright and
Trademarks:
Retain Para 24A

Governments=92 Draft  September 19, 2003
http://www.itu.int/wsis/
1.=09[24A. Choice among software applications contributes to increased
access and enhanced diversity for software users. Multiple software
development models exist which help promote this principle, [including
open source which is a valuable model that supports more affordable access
to ICTs]. ]

END of QUOTE
September 23, 2003
Plenary on Article 22[24A
Brazil: in language in bracket "[including open source which is a valuable
model that supports more affordable access to ICTs]. ]" add after open
source =93and Free software=94.
Pakistan: bracket should be removed and language of paragraph is too light
India: remove bracket
Algeria: there=92s consensus to take out the brackets and we want to add
=93free software=94.  In general it=92s too neutral. It=92s not in the gene=
ral
tone of the declaration, perhaps we could say, priority should be given to
different models.  We need a more emphatic beginning of this sentence.
Italy:  The EU is still in the opinion to move the issue to the plan of
action.  But we should add =93free=94 to open source.
Syria: on behalf of the Arab group.  Delete the bracket and change
language =93the growth should be encouraged=94
USA: we join the EU, this paragraph belongs to plan of action as it calls
to specific plan of action and not an overriding principle.  We want more
balanced approach in this paragraph.  Choice between one or the other kind
of software, depending on situation.  One or the other or a combination of
both proprietary and open source.  A balance approach is a realistic
approach.
Mali: the term =93free=94 should be added.  But we have nothing against
proprietary software.  Maybe here we could just have =93software=94 and hav=
e
the choices in plan of action choices?
Australia:  in favor of removal of brackets and want it to stay in Principl=
es
Benin: Maintain paragraph in principles and plan of action.  It gives rise
to strong feeling.  It has been very controversial.  It=92s important that
these concepts be here in the principles  and in the plan of action.  We
should come back to these concepts.  We should delete the brackets and we
would like to have the word =93free=94 added like many other speakers.
Switzerland:  like Australia, delete square brackets
Vietnam: we have to promote open source and free software. Remove brackets
India:  We join Australia and Canada and want to put across the point that
this should stay in declaration of principles.  Remove brackets and  add
=93free=94 software.

Chair summary:  Many delegations want to add  =93free=94.  Zimbawe will re
draft any other delegation interested should get in touch.  Maybe we can
get it by lunch time? There were suggestions to move the issue to plan of
action but I hope not.