Open-source software is worth a lot more than you might think

University research has put the worldwide value of all open-source software at about $14.45 trillion. (Image: Depositphotos)

Bloomberg

Sun, 03 Mar 2024

By Tyler Cowen Open-source software may well be the greatest “public good” the market economy has ever produced. What it shows is the power of voluntary social cooperation.Standard neoclassical economic theory holds that goods and services with widespread benefits get produced only if their maker can charge customers for them. Open-source software – defined as “something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible” – unquestionably has widespread benefits, yet it is free. T...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

Another solar farm gets the nod from Genesis

Genesis Energy has approved the construction of the Edgecumbe Solar Farm in the Bay of Plenty, marking its second major solar commitment in as many months.The company made a final investment decision (FID) on the 136 megawatt peak (MWp) farm, clearing the way for work to begin sh...

Ian Llewellyn 9:40am

The Quiz Free