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Give Open Source the weight it deserves in public policy
2020-11-21, 12:30–12:50 (Europe/Athens), Κύρια Αίθουσα Ομιλιών
Language: English

When the last study on Open Source in Europe was concluded in 2006, Open Source had not yet taken over the world. Yet policymakers don’t have the data they need to treat Open Source as the innovation machine it has become.

Fraunhofer and OpenForum Europe have been tasked by the European Commission to research the value of Open Source Software and Hardware.

During this presentation we will share preliminary takeaways and tell you why we need your input to make a pro-open source policy a reality.


When the last study on Open Source in Europe was concluded in 2006, the Open Source revolution had not yet taken over the world. Today Open Source Software is ubiquitous in business and Open Source Hardware could trigger the next revolution. Yet policymakers don’t have the data they need to treat Open Source as the innovation machine it has become.

What is the value of Open Source for the economy? How many jobs does it support? How can innovation through Open Source be measured? Is Open Source as beneficial for innovation as we think? What do governments need to do, or not do, to support a flourishing Open Source ecosystem?

Since the beginning of 2020, Fraunhofer ISI and OpenForum Europe, working with over 100 researchers around the world, have been tasked by the European Commission to research the value of Open Source Software and Hardware.

During this presentation we will share some preliminary takeaways and tell you why we need your input to make a pro-open source policy a reality.

See also: Presentation

Sivan Pätsch is the Research Director at OFE. Before he joined OFE, he gained experience in EU policy making at the Council of the European Union. He also worked as an Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer among other responsibilities. He has a master’s degree in European Affairs from Lund University, Sweden with a thesis on the global expansion of the European data protection standard. In addition, he holds a bachelor’s degree in European Public Administration from the University of Twente, Enschede and from the University of Münster. Sivan is a native German speaker, is fluent in English and is learning Swedish.