Malta Produces Open Source Software Directive.

The government of Malta has announced it will give preference to open source software throughout all departments.  It states that it will adopt free software using the definition set by the Free Software Foundation (FSF)  that includes the freedom to run program, freedom to study how the program works, freedom to redistribute, and freedom to distribute copies of the modified versions to others .

The directive includes details such as Open Source Software and its code should be written in English and one other European language. It will also use potential partners within the government and private businesses to provide support and training when implementing and using open Source Software. 

Malta hopes that this new directive will help cut costs within its departments and states it will also share any applications developed internally by publishing them under the European Union's Open Source Licence. (EUPL)