LINUX BILL IN FINLAND
Helsinki, Finland, 17.6.2002

A group of Finnish MPs have signed a bill requiring national and local agencies to migrate their IT-systems to the Linux operating system. Linux is seen to be more secure and reliable than other operating systems. According to the Ministry of Finance the move to Linux will also result in economic benefits, with substantial savings to the nation.

"Free software and technological independence boost entrepreneurship and encourage local development. For these reasons, the bill is important. The Finnish government should be taking advantage of Finnish Linux", said MP Kyosti Karjula, the first to sign the bill. Finnish-born Linus Torvalds is credited with writing the first version of Linux, in 1991.

The Ministry of Finance has estimated that annual savings of 26 million euros could be made by using Linux in state agencies. Several towns in Finland are already planning to move their IT-systems to Linux.

The Finnish bill was inspired in part by Germany's recent decision to embrace Linux and Open Source software. Linux has also found favor within the post office of China, the French ministries of culture, defense and education, and among many other federal agencies in Europe and Asia.

Additional information:

Mr. Kyosti Karjula, MP
telephone: +358 9 432 3177 and +358 50 511 3177
fax: +358 9 432 2700

(C) Kyösti Karjula 2002