Protecting the Virtual Commons (Information Technology and Law Series) [Hardcover]

R. van Wendel de Joode (Author), J. A. de Bruijn (Author), M. J. G. van Eeten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2003 | ISBN-10: 9067041599 | ISBN-13: 978-9067041591 | Edition: 1st Edition.

Worldwide, governments and businesses are recognizing the value of open source and free software. Unlike other software, this software is developed and continuously improved by volunteers in communities on the Internet. How are these communities able to continuously develop innovative software in a world dominated by markets, companies and laws? Protecting the Virtual Commons discusses the surprisingly creative solutions that explain the long-lasting stability of these communities. It identifies the threats that the communities are faced with and discusses the amazingly innovative strategies developed to neutralize these threats. This book has been written with a clear focus on intellectual property rights. In their analysis, the authors provide answers to, among others, the following questions: Why have open source and free software communities created so many different licenses to protect their intellectual property? What influence do licenses have on the organization of the communities and their ability to innovate?

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Worldwide, governments and businesses are recognizing the value of open source and free software. This software is developed and continuously improved by volunteers in communities on the Internet. How are these communities able to continuously develop innovative software in a world dominated by markets, companies and laws? Written with a clear focus on intellectual property rights, this book analyses the surprisingly creative solutions that explain the long-lasting stability of these communities. It identifies the threats that communities are faced with, and discusses the innovative strategies developed to neutralize these threats.

About the Author

Ruben van Wendel de Joode, Ph.D. student, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

J. A. (Hans) de Bruijn, Professor of Organization and Management, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Michel J.G. van Eeten, Associate Professor, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: T.M.C. Asser Press; 1st Edition. edition (August 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9067041599
• ISBN-13: 978-9067041591
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,767,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)