On January 21, 2004 I wrote an open letter on open source software. I recently recieved a response from Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, quoted below, dated February 9, 2004.

Dear Randy:

Thank you for contacting me about the issues arising around Open Source Software. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on the issue.

Over the past year, SCO has claimed that vast amounts of its UNIX based code have made its way into Linux. This issue has opened the flood gates for a huge litigation battle between the small business owners who are helping the average consumer and large corporations.

I do not believe these large corporations always have the average consumer in its best interest. By letting SCO and Microsoft restrict Open Source Software, it would place too much power over public opinion and in the hands of a few giant corporations because they will buy up more and more local developers. I hope these folks will make decisions which acknowledge the needs of the small business owners such as you.

Should legislation be introduced that deals with this very important issue, please know I will act with your views in mind. Again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,
[signed] Ben Nighthorse Campbell
U.S. Senator