Suitable for pathology laboratories? The open source software movement is an initiative for the collaborative development of software whereby the source code can be distributed and altered freely. It is suggested that open source could provide a method for the development of cheap, robust, secure, and up to date pathology computer systems. Development of pathology systems would be aided by having open, agreed database structures Departments of pathology are becoming ever more reliant on computer systems. These systems are used to record, store, transmit, and print pathology reports; calculate results, sometimes using interfaces with the machines used for analysis; and produce statistical analyses of results. Many pathologists may be satisfied with the performance of their computers, but others are frustrated by the inability of their systems to carry out straightforward tasks or to provide functions that should be well within the capability of modern systems. Core functions usually work reliably, but it may be very difficult to take forward developments, even though they ought to be well within the capability of modern systems. Users may be unable to make full use of the data that they have entered on to their systems. “Users often prefer sticking with outdated unsatisfactory systems to the considerable risks of plunging into an untried new system” There is a risk of departments becoming tied to expensive systems, which, either through deficiencies in software, or in local implementation, do not provide the functionality that would be expected. They become dependent on vendors of systems and find themselves unable to disentangle themselves without considerable expense and disruption. Changes of vendor are extremely difficult, with potential legal disputes regarding ownership of databases, difficulties in loading old data on to new systems, and the expense of maintaining crumbling legacy systems. Support may be limited by the lack of staff …