開放原始碼軟體（Open Source Software），是由一群相信電腦軟體世界應以開放為主流的軟體創作者所提倡，他們認為電腦軟體之創造、開發、修正、改寫與加值等行為，不應受限於原始碼不開放的困擾及智慧財產權保護過度的法律障礙，而應藉由公開程式原始碼的方式，供其他程式設計者對軟體加以改進，以提升其效能。由於此種軟體開發模式具備取得成本低、穩定與安全性、彈性與自主權、堅強後援等優勢，這些優勢已逐漸被企業界所發覺，趨使其開始採用開放原始碼軟體的步伐，同時也創造了龐大的潛在商機。例如國際知名業者IBM、Intel等紛紛投入開放原始碼軟體相關產品的推廣與銷售，甚至連政府單位，包括歐盟、美國、中國、日本、韓國等各國政府，也大力推動使用開放原始碼軟體。在此風潮之下，我國政府也制定了一系列發展開放原始碼軟體的政策及方向。
如果能夠適當的運用開放原始碼軟體，確實是可以為企業或組織節省大量成本，創造龐大的潛在商機。至於如何將潛在商機轉換為企業的實質利潤，有此即有賴商業模式的建立。
然而，就在開放原始碼逐漸形成趨勢之際，其發展卻也面臨一些新興的法律議題挑戰。相較於專屬軟體在程式開發及授權合約中通常會提供不侵犯他人智慧財產權的保障措施，開放原始碼軟體由於係以社群開發及免費授權的方式發展，在此方面的保障可能較不周全，而SCO與IBM及Novell之間錯綜複雜的智慧財產侵權糾紛，更突顯此類問題的重要與複雜。
除了智慧財產權方面的法律風險外，開放原始碼所依據的授權契約之解釋、執行、契約效力也是一個很大的問題。截至目前為止，經OSI（Open Source Initiative）所認可的開放原始碼授權契約已達58種之多，未來還會持續增加。由於授權契約種類繁多，且各契約之規定及限制不同，也造成開放原始碼擴展上的阻力。
有鑑於此，本論文主要探討的重點包括開放原始碼軟體可採行之商業模式，尤其是有意利用開放原始碼軟體為營收模式的企業應如何評估本身的核心能力及優勢所在，依情況採取適合自己的模式；另一重點則是探討開放原始碼所涉及之法律問題，包括維持開放原始碼運作制度的授權契約，並分析各類授權契約在使用上可能面臨到的風險與問題。除此之外，也將分析開放原始碼軟體可能面臨的智慧財產相關爭議，包括軟體專利的問題、著作權的問題、營業秘密的問題等。
開放原始碼軟體對於台灣是機會，也是挑戰。如果能夠妥善利用開放原始碼軟體的優點，將能為台灣的資訊產業帶來跳躍式的成長契機。 / Open Source Software, which is promoted by a group of software programmers who believe that computer software should open to the public, and the creation, development, modifying, value-added shouldn’t be bothered by the over-protection of intellectual property rights. By disclosing the source code, other programmers can improve the efficacy of the software. With the advantages of low cost, high security, high stability, plus the minimum control by the right holders, the open source software movement has gained major industry players’ support. For example, IBM, Intel have all expressed their support for the open source movement and also developed relevant products using open source software. In addition to industry, many countries, such as European countries, US, Japan, China, Korea, also show their strong support for the open source movement. Under such trend, Taiwanese government also takes positive measures to promote the development of open source industry’s development and application in Taiwan.
It indeed can save a large amount of cost and create huge profit if making use of open source software properly. How to transfer the potential business opportunity to substantial revenue depends on the establishment of business models.
Nevertheless, while open source movement is getting momentum, it also faces renewed legal challenges. Compared to propriety software, which usually has non-infringement of intellectual property right clauses, open source software can’t provide this kind of guarantee. This issue was especially noticeable when SCO sued IBM for 5 billions damages in 2003.
In addition to the legal risks, the most stringent challenge for the open source movement is its license structure. Until May, 2006, there are 58 open source license agreements have being certified by Open Source Initiatives (OSI), the open source software’s alliance. The problem, however, is that every open source license agreement has different terms and conditions. With so many different license agreements and such uncertain legal effects of those agreements, it erected a barrier for the wide-spread application of open source software.
As a result, this thesis would like to conduct a thorough research on open source software from different dimensions. One part is about the business models which can be adopted by the open source software, and this part will especially focus on how the industry players evaluate their own core abilities and advantages to adopt suitable business models. The other emphasis is on the legal issues of open source software, including the license agreements, the legal risks and intellectual property problems.
Open source software is a chance and also a challenge for Taiwan. If we can make good use of the advantages of open source software, it will definitely bring immense progress for the IT industry of our country.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:CHENGCHI/G0913610121 |
| Creators | 張憶嬋, Chang, Yi-Chan |
| Publisher | 國立政治大學 |
| Source Sets | National Chengchi University Libraries |
| Language | 中文 |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Rights | Copyright © nccu library on behalf of the copyright holders |
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