Victory for open source in Canada
p2pnet view Open Source | P2P:- Created in 1965, Régie des rentes du Québec (RRQ) says its two main responsibilities under the Supplemental Pension Plans Act are to: ensure the administration and operation of pension plans is in conformity with the Act; and, promote financial planning for retirement.
But not to encourage the use of competitive biddung in the software market.
At least, that’s the implication.
However, RRQ acted illegally when in 2008 went to Microsoft for the update of 800 work stations, says a Quebec Superior Court ruling.
RRQ awarded contract without competitive bidding, says Le Devoir.
The ruling also “highlights the inconsistency of the government, while recognizing the economic and structural advantages of free software to ensure the durability and flexibility of its computers, is struggling to make up for this technology in its process for awarding contracts, and that the benefit of multinational software associated with owners of expensive ‘exclusive licensing rights’,” says the story.
“It’s a very good decision for us,” Le Devoir has Cyrille Béraud, president of Savoir-Faire Linux, a company that promotes free software which challenged the validity of the contract awarded to Microsoft by the Québec Pension Plan (QPP).
“But it is also a great victory for the Government of Quebec” which “now has a tool for liberation from the stranglehold of the multinationals on its information system”.
Justice Denis Jacques said the QPP had failed in its duty by awarding a contract for $722,848 to Microsoft distributor Compugen.
“The Court considers that a tender would have to compete various suppliers who could offer unique solutions to meet the needs of the board,” wrote the judge.
“It’s a decision that will set a precedent,” said Beraud, who’s been “battling for years against Microsoft’s monopoly in the equipment of public administration”.
RRQ is considering an appeal, says the story.
(Cheers, Seth)
[Note: I may complain about Google Street View and other products touted as 'services', but I have nothing but praise for Google translations, which interpreted this story. Any mistakes follow my use of the French-to-English translation as a source and in that case, I'd really appreciate corrections from French speakers. - JN]
… and identi.ca
Le Devoir – Victoire pour le logiciel libre, June 4, 2010
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