In this article the author shows open source movement as a paratext culture. Begining with various definitions of paratext in new media, a new one that uses the reflection of new research disciplines software studies and critical code studies is proposed. In the context of created definition an exemplifications of paratext in software world - together with its axiological ground - will be shown. They'll be used onwards to veryfiy the main thesis which assume that open source movement, with its axionormative specific, can be defined as paratext culture, which is in fact a gift culture intentionally promoted and preserved.
Key words: new media, software, open source, gift culture, paratext, software studies