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Free Software Foundation Europe

Copyright c 2001, 2002 Free Software Foundation Europe. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover Texts.

Abstract

This document is primarily a guide for volunteers who would like to present the Free Software Foundation Europe at conferences, forums and similar. It includes answers to frequently asked questions regarding Free Software, FSFE and software patents.

FSF & FSF Europe

What is the Free Software Foundation Europe?

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) was founded in 2001 as the sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) in the USA to take care of all aspects of Free Software in Europe.

Where is FSFE located?

Though operating throughout Europe, the main office of the FSFE is in Germany. The adress is

• Free Software Foundation Europe e.V.

• Talstraße 110

• 40217 Düsseldorf

• Germany

In addition, there are local chapters in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, UK, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia and Sweden.

Why is a European FSF necessary?

Looking at the development of Free Software in the last years, it is clear that many important projects have originated in Europe. Because of the difference in judicial systems between Europe and USA it becomes necessary to ensure that legal matters surrounding Free Software are also -confronted- in Europe. This is especially important in regards to ensure that the validity of Free Software licenses like GNU GPL and LGPL apply equally to European law. FSF Europe works together with several legal experts on this issue.

What does FSFE do?

The Free Software Foundation Europe is currently involved in the following projects:

Open Standards

Lock-in of data is one of the most common techniques to artificially raise the cost of migration to Free Software. Ensuring the best possible interoperability through Open Standards is essential in enabling users to escape vendor lock-in. FSFE's work on Open Standards has the goal of making sure that people do not have to lose all their data when migrating to Free Software.

7th EC Framework Programme (FP7)

The European Commission funds research and development through official framework programmes (FP for short). From 2007 these framework programmes will be used to select projects for support until 2013. FSFE will play a central role in supported projects related to Free Software.

STACS

STACS (Science, Technology and Civil Society) is a project that seeks to bridge the gap between civil society and research in order to increase the societal relevance of research being done. The project aims to accomplish by educating both civil society organisations and researchers, and finding common projects to work on for the future.

Freedom Task Force (FTF)

The Freedom Task Force is helping individuals, projects and businesses with Free Software licensing. It provides assistance, training and manages networks of technical and legal experts to help in this. The FTF works in partnership with gpl-violations.org to resolve licence issues in the European arena.

Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a global policy discussion forum of the United Nations, established as an outcome of the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). FSFE is following the IGF to ensure that policy discussions will not endanger digital freedom in general and Free Software in particular.

DRM.info

DRM.info is a collaborative platform initiated and maintained by FSFE to inform on the dangers of Digital Restrictions Management and make visible the concerns from various different groups. DRM.info contributors include digital liberty, consumer protection, net-activism and library organisations.

SELF

The SELF project (Science, Education and Learning in Freedom) aims at creating a repository of educational materials on Free Software and Open Standards. It does this by providing a platform for the collaborative development of educational materials, as well as by engaging in the development of educational materials that are missing in the field today.

IPRED2

A second directive on the enforcement of "intellectual property rights" has been proposed by the European Commission. It aims to criminalise all "intentional, commercial-scale" infringements, and to allow rights-holders to take part investigations. FSFE will be pointing out to the EU institutions how such laws encourage abuse of the legal system and have chilling effects on law-abiding activities.

GPLv3

The June 29th 2007 release of version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPL) marked the end of an eighteen month public consultation process. During this time, FSFE worked to raise awareness of the changes proposed for the licence, to help the community to participate in the public consultation, and to document the ongoing discussion to make this topic as accessible as possible.

Fellowship of FSFE

The Fellowship of the Free Software Foundation Europe is a community of people united by their interest in Free Software and freedom in all aspects of the digital age. It is the easiest and most direct way to get involved with, remain informed about and support the work of the Free Software Foundation Europe. This is the place where we all come together. Not least for the cool features, namely the Cryptocard.

World Intellectual Property Organization

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organisations. Its role is administrating 23 international treates dealing with different aspects of limited monopolies on knowledge. As an observer to WIPO and together with a global coalition of other players with similar goals, FSFE is working towards reshaping it as a "World Intellectual Wealth Organisation."

Microsoft versus European Union citizens

In 2001 the European Union, through the DG Competition of the European Commission (lead by Mr. Mario Monti), started investigating Microsoft's dominant position in the market for desktop operating systems. The Free Software Foundation Europe was invited by the European Commission to represent the interests of the Free Software movement. Since 2004, FSFE is participating in the appeal to again defend competition and freedom of choice against abuses.

Software Patents in Europe

Software patents for Europe are currently being pushed forward actively by a lobby gathering around the European patent office and the Business Software Alliance (BSA), which represents the interests of the large U.S. companies. Software patents are a menace to society and economy and the FSFE is actively involved in the resistance against such plans.

How is FSFE organised?

Due to the lack of common European organisation laws, FSFE is built up as a modular organisation, consisting of a central organisation in Germany and several legally independent chapters in different countries. The central organisation is a non-profit and charitable non-governmental organisation under German jurisdiction to which all members of FSFE belong. Membership in the main organisation is a requirement for being part of a local chapter. The main organisation and the different chapters of FSFE are democratically organised, with all important decisions being decided in cooperation on the European level. This is somewhat of a "legal hack" that makes it possible for FSFE to function as a unified organisation. Administrative positions are filled through elections, usually every two years.

Is FSFE independent from FSF in USA?

FSFE is recognised as a sister organisation of FSF, but is legally and organisationally independent. Supporting one FSF will however benefit every other FSF, as all FSF's are working together in cooperation towards common goals.

How is FSFE financed?

FSFE is mainly financed through monetary donations and sale of merchandise, but also gets some funding for specific projects.

How many people are part of FSFE?

FSFE has around 100 active members, with some 800 additional supporters through the Fellowship program.

Is it possible to become a member of FSFE?

The work of FSFE is focused on sustainable long term activities. This requires its members to not only have a great understanding of Free Software, but also to commit to a long term engagement and accepting personal limitations. New members are approved through a voting process and requires a majority of 2/3 of the votes. Membership in the Fellowship program is however open to anyone, but has a yearly fee of 120 EUR (60 EUR for people with low income).

What are the associate organisations of FSFE?

The following organisations are associates of FSFE:

Association For Free Software

The Association for Free Software (AFFS) is a membership organisation which promotes and defends Free Software in the UK.

National Association for Free Software

ANSOL is the "National Association for Free Software". It is a Portuguese non-profit association dedicated to the promotion, development, research and study of Computing Freedom and its social, political philosophical, cultural, technical and scientific implications.

Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure

The FFII is a non-profit association under German law that promotes a sustainable development of public information goods based on copyright, free competition and open standards.

Verein zur Förderung Freier Informationen und Software e.V.

The ffis e.V. is a German non-profit association of Free Software enthusiasts that supports the development and establishment of free information and Free Software with various events and projects.

Free Knowledge Foundation (Fundación Conocimiento Libre)

The FKF is a non-profit organisation based in Spain that promotes the idea of knowledge as a common good accessible by everybody. Its focus is on Free Knowledge, Free Software, Free Standards and Intellectual Wealth.

Free Software Initiative of Japan

A Japanese non-profit association to further Free Software.

Free Software Network Serbia (Mreža za slobodan softver Srbija)

Free Software Network Serbia (FSNS) is organization that is formed and exists in goal to promote and defend free software and GNU philosophy in Serbian public.

Irish Free Software Organisation

The goals of Irish Free Software Organisation (IFSO) are to prevent changes in legislation which would harm Free Software users and developers, and to promote awareness of Free Software among Irish computer users.

KDE e.V.

KDE e.V. is the official body behind the K Desktop Environment. KDE e.V. is a non-profit organisation that handles legal issues for the KDE project, its goal is to support the development and spreading of KDE, the popular graphical desktop environment.

Organisation for Free Software in Education and Teaching

OFSET is a not for profit French international association under the law of 1901. It has been set up in response to the slow development of free educational software for the GNU system. It will promote all possible forms of development and localisations needed by the world wide education system.

Fundacion Via Libre

Fundacion Via Libre -- Argentinian Foundation for Free Software

Vrijschrift

Vrijschrift creates awareness about the economic and social meaning of free knowledge and culture for our society. Vrijschrift fulfills both a protecting and promoting role. Internationally we work together with the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure, the Free Software Foundation Europe, Project Gutenberg and a lot of other organisations.

Wilhelm Tux

Wilhelm Tux -- Campaign for Free Software. Swiss non-profit for Free Software.

How can I support FSFE?

• • Erstellung, Pflege und Übersetzung der FSF Europe Webseiten. • Übersetzung von Texten für Broschüren, etc. in unterschiedliche Sprachen. • Organisation und Unterstützung von Messeständen durch Freiwillige auf diversen Messen. • Finanzielle Unterstützung durch Spenden.

Nähere Information unter [?].

Are donations to FSFE tax-deductable?

They are, at least in Germany.

How do I contact FSFE?

European Level

• Phone (Belgium): ++32 2 747 0357
• Phone (Germany): ++49 700 373387673 (++49 700 FSFEUROPE)

• Email (office): office@fsfeurope.org

• Email (President): president@fsfeurope.org

Local Contact

Austria

• Email (core team members and volunteers): austria@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Reinhard Müller

Belgium

• Email (core team members and volunteers): belgium@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Ciarán O'Riordan

Switzerland

• Email (core team members and volunteers): switzerland@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Alex Antener, Maria Carli, Shane M. Coughlan, Georg C. F. Greve, Guillaume Yziquel

Germany

• Email (core team members and volunteers): germany@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Alexander Finkenberger, Karsten Gerloff, Joachim Jakobs, Rainer Kersten, Michael Kesper, Matthias Kirschner, Werner Koch, Bernhard Reiter

Spain

• Email (core team members and volunteers): spain@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Pablo Machón, Xavier Reina

United Kingdom

• Email (core team members and volunteers): uk@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Gareth Bowker

Ireland

• Email (core team members and volunteers): ireland@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Ciarán O'Riordan

Italy

• Email (core team members and volunteers): italy@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Patrick Ohnewein, Giacomo Poderi, Cristian Rigamonti

Netherlands

• Email (core team members and volunteers): netherlands@fsfeurope.org

• Currently, there are no core team members in this country

Serbia

• Email (core team members and volunteers): serbia@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Ivan Jelic, Marko Milenovic

Sweden

• Email (core team members and volunteers): sweden@fsfeurope.org

• Core team members in this country: Mathias Klang, Jonas Öberg, Henrik Sandklef, Christof Thim

Free Software

What is Free Software?

Free Software is defined through the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:

1. The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.

   • Placing restrictions on the use of Free Software, such as time ("30 days trial period", "license expires January 1st, 2004") purpose ("permission granted for research and non-commercial use", "may not be used for benchmarking") or geographic area ("must not be used in country X") makes a program non-free.

2. The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs.

   • Placing legal or practical restrictions on the comprehension or modification of a program, such as mandatory purchase of special licenses, signing of a Non-Disclosure-Agreement (NDA) or - for programming languages that have multiple forms or representation - making the preferred human way of comprehending and editing a program ("source code") inaccessible also makes it proprietary (non-free). Without the freedom to modify a program, people will remain at the mercy of a single vendor.

3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.

   • Software can be copied/distributed at virtually no cost. If you are not allowed to give a program to a person in need, that makes a program non-free. This can be done for a charge, if you so choose.

4. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.

   • Not everyone is an equally good programmer in all fields. Some people don't know how to program at all. This freedom allows those who do not have the time or skills to solve a problem to indirectly access the freedom to modify. This can be done for a charge.

Wichtige Punkte sind:

• • Der Begriff „Frei“ bezieht sich auf „Freiheit“ und nicht auf den Preis einer Software – Frei, wie in
  • Freiheit, nicht wie in Freibier.
  • Freie Software schließt Kommerzialität (siehe ??) nicht aus, d. h. es kann durchaus Geld für das
  • jeweilige Softwareprodukt verlangt werden.
  • Der Gegensatz Freier Software ist nicht-freie oder proprietäre Software.

Siehe auch ausführliche Beschreibung unter [?]. 2.2 Wo liegen die Unterschiede zwischen Freier Software, Public Domain, Shareware,

• Freeware, etc. ?

Hierzu gibt es ein Dokument, das aus dem GNU Projekt hervorgegangen ist und die Unterschiede be- schreibt. Zu finden ist es unter [?]. 2.3 Was ist die GNU GPL? GPL steht für „General Public License“. Die GPL ist aus dem GNU Projekt hervorgegangen, daher bezeichnet man sie besser als GNU GPL. Die GNU GPL ist eine Free Software Lizenz die die Freiheiten der ihr unterstellten Software Produkte schützt. Im Gegensatz zu einigen anderen Free Software Lizenzen ist die GNU GPL mit einem Copyleft (siehe ??) ausgestattet. 2.4 Was versteht man unter einem Copyleft Verbreitet der Author eine Software unter der GNU GPL, so ist derjenige, der zu einem späteren Zeit- punkt Änderungen oder Verbesserungen an dieser Software durchführt verpflichtet diese ebenfalls unter der GNU GPL zu vertreiben. Dieser Mechanismus wird als Copyleft bezeichnet, der die in der „Free Software Definition“ definierten Freiheiten schützt, und somit sicher stellt, dass die Community davon profitieren kann. 2 FREIE SOFTWARE 7 2.5 Was ist die LGPL? LGPL steht für „Lesser General Public License“ (früher bekannt als „Library General Public License“). Die LGPL ist aus dem GNU Projekt hervorgegangen, daher bezeichnet man sie besser als GNU LG- PL. Der Unterschied zur GNU GPL ist, dass eine unter der GNU LGPL veröffentlichte Software unter bestimmten Bedingungen zusammen mit proprietärer (also nicht Freier Software) genutzt werden kann. Die LGPL wird häufig, aber nicht ausschließlich für Bibliotheken verwendet. Lizenz: siehe [?] 2.6 Gibt es eine Übersicht über GPL kompatible und GPL inkompatible Lizenzen? Eine Liste mit entsprechenden Erklärungen findet sich unter [?].