The EU has released the final report of a Study on the Economic impact of open source sofware on innovation and the competitiveness of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector in the EU (Nov. 20, 2006).

The Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) notes that the study has stirred up the tech press and the blogging community, but that "One thing . . . is notably missing from the online debate over the nearly 300 page report: someone who has actually read it."

ACT is volunteering to fill this void:

After an initial read, it is clear the authors have done some important (and voluminous) research into the role of FLOSS in the European economy. That said, there are also some significant holes in their research, questionable assumptions, and misguided recommendations - particularly in the realm of small and mid-size business (SME) policy.

Over the next several weeks, we'll be taking a closer look at the report at the ACT Blog to help the community better understand the findings and start a more intelligent discussion on what they mean.

Actually read a report before trashing or endorsing it? That sounds like a dangerous precedent -- next, some spoilsport will suggest that Congressmen/women should actually read laws before they pass them. Where will it end?