France does everything right except produce much software. I'm sure it can copycat things pioneered by the US, and 20 years later, but that's not exactly difficult.

Sounds like a pretty good deal for France to fork US software from 20 years ago, because shit sure hasn't improved much since then.

why does it matter if it is difficult? You are right, these systems should be well understood by now. And public domain.

To me this is the point right? Everything that's spent enough time in the oven and has been commodified should be eventually launched as a public service. If we lived in a reasonable world this would be how things are done instead of installing permanent toll booths on everything and letting it get shittier and more expensive.

Doesn't really matter if copycat or not in this case. I'd argue it's even better to be a copycat in order to move faster.