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Competition between open-source and proprietary software: the (La)TeX case study

Author

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  • Alexandre Gaudeul

    (University of East Anglia - Norwich)

Abstract

The paper examines competition between two development models, proprietary and open-source (``OS''). It first defines and compares those two models and then analyzes the influence the development of one type of software has on the development of the other. The paper is based on the (La)TeX case study. In that case study, the features, users, and patterns in the development of the (La)TeX software were compared to its proprietary equivalents. The models that are presented in this paper describe some aspects of the strategic interactions between proprietary and open-source software. The paper shows that they cannot be analyzed independently; the decisions of one class of agents (OSS developers) are affected by those of the other class of agents (private entrepreneurs).

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandre Gaudeul, 2004. "Competition between open-source and proprietary software: the (La)TeX case study," Industrial Organization 0409007, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpio:0409007
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 38
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    File URL: https://econwpa.ub.uni-muenchen.de/econ-wp/io/papers/0409/0409007.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Crémer, Jacques & Gaudeul, Alexandre, 2004. "Quelques éléments d'économie du logiciel libre," IDEI Working Papers 277, Institut d'Économie Industrielle (IDEI), Toulouse.
    2. Mark Bagnoli & Ted Bergstrom, 2006. "Log-concave probability and its applications," Studies in Economic Theory, in: Charalambos D. Aliprantis & Rosa L. Matzkin & Daniel L. McFadden & James C. Moore & Nicholas C. Yann (ed.), Rationality and Equilibrium, pages 217-241, Springer.
    3. Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon & Ghemawat, Pankaj, 2003. "Dynamic mixed duopoly: A model motivated by Linux vs. Windows," IESE Research Papers D/519, IESE Business School.
    4. Franke, Nikolaus & von Hippel, Eric, 2002. "Satisfying Heterogeneous User Needs via Innovation Toolkits: The Case of Apache Security Software," Working papers 4341-02, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    5. Thorsten Wichmann & Pio Baake, 2003. "Open Source Software, Competition and Potential Entry," Berlecon Research Papers 0005, Berlecon Research.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Stephane Verani, 2006. "Open Source Development in a Differentiated Duopoly," Economics Discussion / Working Papers 06-05, The University of Western Australia, Department of Economics.
    2. Josh Lerner & Jean Tirole, 2005. "The Economics of Technology Sharing: Open Source and Beyond," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 19(2), pages 99-120, Spring.
    3. Ramon Casadesus‐Masanell & Gastón Llanes, 2015. "Investment Incentives in Open‐Source and Proprietary Two‐Sided Platforms," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 306-324, June.
    4. Ramon Casadesus-Masanell & Gastón Llanes, 2011. "Mixed Source," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 57(7), pages 1212-1230, July.
    5. German Lambardi, 2009. "Software Innovation and the Open Source threat," Working Papers 09-15, NET Institute, revised Sep 2009.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Open source; software; proprietary software; BSD; GPL; public domain; intellectual production; licensing; patents; TeX; LaTeX;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L - Industrial Organization

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