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diff --git a/content/posts/proprietary-software-is-anti-capitalist.md b/content/posts/proprietary-software-is-anti-capitalist.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4d8e01 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/proprietary-software-is-anti-capitalist.md @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ +--- +title: "Proprietary Software is Anti-Capitalist" +date: 2020-11-17T07:26:15-05:00 +draft: false +tags: [free-software, capitalism] +--- + +A theoretically perfect market under capitalism assumes that consumers have +access to an infinite supply of producers. This allows consumers to inspect the +market, and select the product that best fits their needs. In the long term, +monopolies erode capitalism, because they meaningfully constrict the market and +the options available to consumers. This means that consumers have limited +access to a variety of products and services under a market controlled by a +monopoly. + +A patent is a construct that grants a company a temporary monopoly to produce +something. This is based on the assumption that guaranteed monopolistic power +for a temporary period can encourage innovation. Some assume that proprietary +software licencing can encourage innovation in a similar way. However this is +not the case, because the proprietor of a piece of software actually has a +permanent monopoly on the marketable actions to that software, such as +distribution, repair, and modification. + +The key difference between Free Software and proprietary software for the +average consumer is not that they have the right to view the source code and +learn to repair or modify their own software. The difference is that the +consumer can access an unrestricted market of software developers to make +the modifications or repairs to the software that the consumer desires. This is +no different than a consumer bringing their car their mechanic of choice in +order to repair or modify their vehicle. + +Should you be interested in finding support for Free Software, or if you are +interested in providing service, the [Free Software Foundation has put together +a list of services](https://www.fsf.org/resources/service) that could provide +assistance. You could also reach out to freelance software developers on sites +like Fiverr, or Upwork. + |