2007 conference to focus on unleashing and taming open source proliferation in the enterprise

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Open Source Business Conference today announced that the call for papers has been issued for OSBC 2007, scheduled to take place May 22-23 at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, CA. The theme for OSBC 2007 is "Open Source in Every Enterprise: Unleashing and Taming Open Source Proliferation in the Enterprise." The conference will explore the increasing range of high-quality open source software, best practices for managing its adoption within the enterprise, and distribution strategies successful vendors are using to take open source mainstream. Abstracts can be submitted online at http://www.osbc.com and the deadline for submissions is November 10, 2006.

Open Source Business Conference (OSBC) is the premier showcase for IT thought leaders to engage each other and attendees in rigorous discussion and analysis of emerging open source business strategy.E[sz]OSBC attracts the industry's top thinkers and practitioners, people who can speak objectively and incisively on open source as a business tool.E[sz]Applicants should assume a high level of familiarity with open source business models, strategy, and implementation, and should structure proposals accordingly.

Industry professionals are invited to submit abstracts related to the following sessions and topics:

-- What's Now: Sessions that address current strategic issues around
   enterprise adoption of open source, including the thorny issue of
   building communities to distribute and develop open source
   projects. Sample sessions include:
    -- Intelligent Heterogeneity: Implementing Open Source Alongside
       Proprietary Software
    -- Best Practices: A Panel of CIOs Discusses Successful and Failed
       Open Source Projects
-- What's Next: Sessions highlighting emerging trends, opportunities,
   and strategies for the open source company, with an emphasis on
   open source P&L best practices, M&A valuations, and licensing
   strategies. Sample sessions include:
    -- Turning Downloads into Dollars: How to Leverage Ubiquity into
       Sales
    -- Open Sourcing the Channel: Strategies for Effective
       Collaboration with SIs and VARs
    -- Valuing Open Source: A Venture Capitalist's View on Effectively
       Valuing Open Source Businesses
-- What's Legal: Sessions illuminating the complex legal issues
   undergirding open source software, from patents to dual licensing
   to corporate review boards to GPL 3.0 and beyond. Sample sessions
   include:
    -- GPLv3: Analyzing its Implications
    -- Choose Your Weapon: Licensing Strategies for Open Source 2.0
-- New! - What's for Sale: Sessions highlighting the wide range of
   available open source products and services.

"Open source has forever changed the way enterprises buy, sell, develop, and support software," said Matt Asay, Founder and Program Director for OSBC. "OSBC is the place for enterprises to learn how best to manage their open source adoption eI to make open source work for them. IteIUs where the future of commercial open source software is envisioned and created."

OSBC is designed for IT business executives (buyers and vendors), venture capitalists, attorneys, and other decision-makers tasked with developing businesses that leverage open source software. It explores the legal, investment, vendor and customer risks, rewards, and opportunities presented by open source software.

About OSBC

The Open Source Business Conferencee is the only event that provides an educational forum for business leaders (both IT buyers and vendors), lawyers and venture capitalists focusing on the opportunities and challenges that open source technology presents. Attend this exceptional conference program led by well known thought leaders and industry executives and become part of the event where important issues are discussed and the future will be determined.

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces technology-focused tradeshows, conferences and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping. IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Macworld Conference & ExpoE1/2, LinuxWorld Conference & ExpoE1/2, LinuxWorldE1/2 OpenSolutionse Summit, Wireless Sensing SolutionsE1/2, Syndicatee, SaaScone, GridWorlde, OSBCE1/2, Digital ID WorldE1/2, RoboBusiness and RoboNexus. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDGeIUs online network includes more than 400 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment, and gaming worldwide. IDG is a leading producer of more than 170 technology-related events including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Macworld Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 850 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Additional information about IDG, a privately-held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.

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