With its advantages in access and usage, open source software is seen as one of many important measures to reduce copyright violations, particularly for developing countries like Viet Nam, said Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Manh Hai.

Hai made the remark at the fourth national seminar on open source software held in Ha Noi on Dec. 6, stressing that open source software provides users with the freedom to use it for any purpose, access source code, modify or upgrade code, reproduce and redistribute it without asking for permission or paying for copyright.

Open source software provides developing countries an opportunity to master technology by giving them more choices, reducing investment for IT application and development and also helping them quickly access advanced information and communication technologies (ICT).

According to experts from the Ministry of Science and Technology and IT businesses, open source software has become more popular in Viet Nam, enabling up to 65 ministries, localities and many businesses to markedly reduce spending and therefore make high profits.

Viet Nam's m ain difficulties in using open source software are the shortage of human resources, poor products for selection, and their low compatibility with other software.

Deputy Minister of Post and Telematics Vu Duc Dam said that to make open source software a true opportunity and a driving force for Viet Nam's ICT development, the IT sector should enhance the human resources development, encourage businesses to get involved in developing open source software, and cooperate with the education sector to build up training programmes in this field for universities and IT vocational training centres.

(Source: VNA)