[FSFE PR][DE] CRA & PLD: Liability rules with large exemptions for Free Software are introduced

[press at fsfe.org]

 = CRA & PLD: Liability rules with large exemptions for Free Software are introduced =

[ Online lesen: https://fsfe.org/news/2024/news-20240312-01.de.html ]

With today's votes on CRA and PLD on the introduction of liability rules
for software, a broad exception for Free Software was made, so that
after long and intense debates individual developers and non for profit
work are safeguarded.

On Tuesday, March 12, the two votes in the plenary of the European
Parliament on the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the Product Liability
Directive (PLD) marked the provisional end of a long debate on the
introduction of liability rules for software - with a broad exemption
for Free Software.

Already at an early stage, the FSFE argued in a hearing in the EU
Parliament [1], for the inclusion of clear and precise exemptions for
Free Software development in the legislation and for liability to be
transferred to those who significantly financially benefit from it on
the market.

The co-legislators have largely complied with our demands and following
intensive debates, have significantly improved the Commission’s
proposal, by introducing an exemption for Free Software and including it
in the articles of the regulation. In the future, individual developers
and non-profit development of Free Software will be exempt from the CRA
and the PLD. Nevertheless, the wording in both the regulations are
different and a standardisation processes and guidelines are still being
drawn up. We will therefore closely monitor the implementation and
whether Software Freedom is protected accordingly. The efforts of Free
Software advocates have also helped to ensure that decision maker in EU
institutions now have a better understanding of Free Software and its
various stakeholders, which will be useful in future debates.

    "In the debate about liability rules for Free Software, it has
    become clear how important Free Software is for our economic and
    social development. On the other hand, it has also become clear what
    needs to be taken into account in the Regulation when it comes to
    software freedom. This has shown the immense importance of working
    together with the various stakeholders in Free Software development
    and distribution and as well as to understand and accommodate the
    different interests of these players," concludes Alexander Sander,
    FSFE`s Senior Policy Consultant.

 1: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230323-01.de.html

  == Über die Free Software Foundation Europe ==

  Die Free Software Foundation Europe ist ein gemeinnütziger Verein, der
  Menschen im selbstbestimmten Umgang mit Technik unterstützt. Software
  beeinflusst sämtliche Bereiche unseres Lebens. Es ist wichtig, dass
  diese Technik uns hilft, statt uns einzuschränken. Freie Software gibt
  allen das Recht, Programme für jeden Zweck zu verwenden, zu verstehen,
  zu verbreiten und zu verbessern. Diese Freiheiten stärken andere
  Grundrechte wie die Redefreiheit, die Pressefreiheit und das Recht auf
  Privatsphäre.

  Die FSFE hilft Menschen und Organisationen dabei, zu verstehen, wie
  Freie Software zu Freiheit, Transparenz und Selbstbestimmung beiträgt.
  Sie stärkt Nutzerrechte, indem sie Hürden für den Einsatz Freier
  Software beseitigt, ermutigt Menschen zum Einsatz und zur Entwicklung
  Freier Software, und stellt Ressourcen für alle bereit, die Freie
  Software in Europa voranbringen wollen.

  https://fsfe.org