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Free Software Conference in Brazil and Microsoft's Reaction
June 2-4, the 5th International Free Software Forum in Brazil, where nearly 5,000 people gathered, including an international selection of academics and technologists, top government officials, and a diverse group of technology developers. What they were so excited about has got Microsoft nervous. For more information and our growing story the conference and its repercussions in Brazil.
Brazilian government minister and legendary
musician Gilberto Gil spoke about Brazil's strategy to become a hub for
Free Software development and to boost its economy with software as a
primary export by the year 2006. As well, American academics spoke on the Creative Commons license and its Brazilian adaptation and other intellectual property issues as related to Free Software.
More English-language commentary on the conference coming soon.
Microsoft Reacts
Microsoft Brazil's president, Emilio Umeoka had
some nasty things to say regarding Free Software and President Lula's
decision to promote it as part of the government technology platform as
well as the country's development strategy. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5340922
Microsoft has also filed
legal action against Sergio Amadeu, the president of the National
Institute of Information Technology and the highest Brazilian
governmental authority in the effort to migrate to Free Software (Story in Portuguese). Petition (in Portuguese) to support Segio and its translation to Spanish.