“In the post-industrial scenario, free software is the key to economic development”
INTERVIEW WITH MARCELO D' ELIA BRANCO
Technological consultant for the Sociedad de la Información
Director of Campus Party Brasil
Marcelo is one of the pioneers in the use and diffusion of free software in Brazil, instigator the softwarelivre.org project and an active member of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre. During 2006 and 2007 he was an adviser on free software to the Generalitat of Catalonia. Recently he was the director of the first Campus Party Brasil which took place last Februaury.
How do you see the situation of free software on a global level?
Free software is being used largely by public administrations, free software is the key for the development of a technological industry and is a key to innovation in production in any country. I believe that today, free software is the key for economic development with regard to what we're living through in the new post-industrial scenario. The scenario of private software is the scenario of the industrial revolution, a historical era long since over. Free software is at an important moment and this moment cannot be wasted by any country.
What is the situation of the free knowledge or free culture movements?
The idea of blocking innovation, the idea of blocking knowledge is not an idea compatible with Internet, it's an ancient idea from the industrial era. Therefore, free knowledge and free culture are contemporary ideas. So the free culture movement, the movement for freedom, of knowledge is a modern movement and very linked to the idea of free software.
What does the use of free software give to the public?
In a direct way it’s freedom, the freedom to use a computer without being watched, the freedom to be able to modify the programme etc. This is freedom. The second is the possibility of using a computer program which benefits the whole society: the chain of production, local businesses, universities and schools. The direct and indirect benefits are very important to the citizen.
What role do communities have in the development of free software?
The networked society, and the spirit of collaboration is the main difference with industrial property. The community is a key for the development of free software, the development of free culture. A space like this, Citilab, is a privileged space because it has a structure which the regional communities, of the whole of Catalonia have as a reference point to develop their projects. I believe that Citilab is a landmark not only for Catalonia, but internationally, a very important point of reference where the Internet communities can feel at home.
What role should the administrations be playing in the ambit of free software?
The public administration has the task of drawing up public policies of economic development in the area of ITC. The choice by the public administration to promote the use of private software would be a bad choice for the country. And the option to promote the theme of free software as a priority of the administration would help the country to promote production. This would be one of the key aspects of the role of the administration: to boost the economic development of the ITC sector.
