Post
Topic
Board Bitcoin Discussion
What stops governments from using the Bitcoin/ Ethereum open source code?
by
actueal
on 24/06/2018, 17:19:20 UTC
The thought came to my mind, when everything about Bitcoin and Ethereum is legit open-source, and posted on GitHub; there's every line of code available in the open for any government to make a Bitcoin/ Ethereum clone of their own.  So, whey aren't they doing that, if not seriously, then at least proof-of-concept?

Even if blockchains come with patents, there's the phrase called 'compulsory licensing' that has long been used by third world countries to manufacture patented drugs at dirt-cheap prices.  Likewise, blockchains too could be 'compulsorily licensed' even if patented.

Whey then doesn't any country, say China or India, declare such a blockchain to be an essential 'public good' and clone Bitcoin or Ethereum, whatever is utilitarian for their purposes?  At least they'll save on the Ether prices for their DApps!