Software copyright purchase: no monopoly in Govt agencies
16:34' 22/05/2007 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Regarding the government’s purchase of Microsoft software copyright, the press talked with Deputy Minister of Post and Telematics Vu Duc Dam.



The government’s purchase of Microsoft software copyright means that all computers in government agencies will be installed with Microsoft software?



Of course it is not like this. The government only buys a certain number of Microsoft software products. There is no monopoly in terms of product or provider, though it is Microsoft or another.



Why has the government signed the contract with Microsoft and not let ministries or sectors negotiate and buy the software themselves, like the case of the Finance Ministry?



The government did that to help save direct expenditures and bring other benefits.



How will the software products that the government has bought copyrights for be used to reach the highest effectiveness when most of the computers in Vietnam are only used to compile word documents?



Office software has many functions besides the simple compilation of word documents. Proficiency in those functions will greatly help the computerisation of office tasks. This is the responsibility of government agencies.



Why will we buy Microsoft software not software of other firms which have similar functions or encourage the use of open source software that is widely diffused on the Internet?



Microsoft’s office software is the most popular commercial software. In addition, the purchase of Microsoft software copyright is under the strategic partnership agreement. The building of the strategic partnership with the world’s leading software group is completely different from normal trade relations with other companies.



Free open source software is encouraged for use in not only government agencies but in the whole of society as well. The purchase of Microsoft software copyright will help promote the wider use of open source software. If using illegal commercial software without having to pay fees, nobody would think of using open source software.



Should Vietnam build its own office software system?



It is important to create a competitive environment based on the open standard to serve users’ selection. The development of office software for Vietnam needs to be considered in every aspect, particularly the commercial angle in the globalisation condition. A more practical solution is creating a mechanism and development tools to support the use of open source office software. The users of open source software don’t have to pay fees but they need technical support.



(Source: Tuoi Tre)