= Julia Reda, MEP: "Proprietary Software threatens Democracy" =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160907-01.fr.html ]
Julia Reda ended the QtCon, a conference for the Free Software
community, with a closing keynote on, among other things, Free Software
in the European Public Sector.
Ms Reda, a member of the EU Parliament for the Pirate Party, explained
how proprietary software, software that forbids users from studying and
modifying it, has often left regulators in the dark, becoming a
liability for and often a threat to the well-being and health of
citizens.
An example of this, she said, is the recent Dieselgate scandal, in which
auto-mobile manufacturers installed software that cheated instruments
that measured fumes in test environments, only to spew illegal amounts
of toxic exhaust into the atmosphere the moment they went on the road.
Ms Reda also explained how medical devices running proprietary software
posed a health hazard for patients. She gave the example of a woman with
a pacemaker who collapsed while climbing some stairs due to a bug in her
device. Doctors and technicians had no way of diagnosing and correcting
the problem as they did not have access to the code.
Also worrying is the threat software with restrictive licenses pose to
democracy itself. The trend of substituting traditional voting ballots
with voting machines is especially worrying, because, as these machines
are not considered a threat to national security, their software also
goes unaudited and is, in fact, unauditable in most cases.
And, although voting machines are built and programmed by private
companies, they are commissioned by public entities and paid for with
public money, money taken from citizens' taxes. However, there are no
universal EU regulations that force companies, or, indeed, public
organisations, to make the source code available to the citizens that
have paid for it, said Ms Reda.
Furthermore, she noted that, despite the fact Free Software technologies
(web servers, CMSs, email servers, and so on) are used extensively
throughout the public administration, the public sector assumes very
little responsibility in the way of giving back to the community via
patches or even bug reports.
Ms Reda said that the solution to this very dismal state of affairs is a
multi-pronged one. She commended the Free Software Foundation Europe for
its work in advocating for all software commissioned by public entities
and paid with public money, be made available under free/libre licenses
for everyone. She also noted that to get governments on the side of Free
Software it is essential to make them see its merits.
Only like this, she said, would it be possible to make legislators
regulate coherently in favour of free/libre technologies.
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
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Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free
Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination.
It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and
provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software
in Europe.
http://fsfe.org/
= The Document Foundation and the FSFE strengthen their relationship =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160817-01.fr.html ]
The Free Software Foundation (FSFE) is joining the Advisory Board of The
Document Foundation[1]. At the same time, The Document Foundation is
becoming an associated organisation of the FSFE[2].
The Free Software Foundation Europe's aim is to help people control
technology instead of the other way around. However, this is a goal
which no single organisation can achieve on its own. Associated
organisations are entities that share the FSFE's vision and support the
foundation and Free Software in general by encouraging people to use and
develop Free Software, by helping organisations understand how Free
Software contributes to freedom, transparency and self-determination,
and by removing barriers to Free Software adoption.
With this mutual expression of support, both organisations strengthen
one another in their fight to keep the general public in the
technological driver's seat. While the FSFE embodies the principles of
the community movement working in support of the adoption of Free
Software in companies, public administrations and for private citizens,
the Document Foundation turns principles and ethics into actual
products, putting a first class, fully-featured, and completely free
productivity suite in the hands of users.
"We are happy to welcome the Free Software Foundation Europe as a member
of our Advisory Board. Together, we will able to further develop the
adoption of Free Software in Europe, amongst public administrations and
enterprises", said Eike Rathke, a Director of The Document Foundation[3]
and a long time Free Software advocate and hacker.
"We believe it is important to join forces with all the organisations
active in Free Software around Europe," said Matthias Kirschner[4],
President of the Free Software Foundation Europe, "and work together to
reach our common goals. With our associated organisations we want to
show that we are a strong and cohesive movement, and we work to achieve
common objectives. To do this, we exchange ideas, coordinate efforts,
motivate each other, and find opportunities to work together on specific
projects. This is the case with The Document Foundation, steward of one
of the most successful Free Software projects: LibreOffice".
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://www.documentfoundation.org/governance/advisory-board/
2. https://fsfe.org/associates/associates.fr.html
3. https://www.documentfoundation.org/governance/board/
4. https://fsfe.org/about/kirschner/kirschner.fr.html
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= Le Sommet Free Software Foundation Europe 2016 – Pas une conférence technique =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160804-01.fr.html ]
Des défenseurs du logiciel libre de toute l'Europe seront à Berlin
pendant le sommet du 02 au 04 Septembre 2016. En plus de travailler à
faire avancer l'adoption des logiciels libres en Europe, nous allons
également célébrer le 15iéme anniversaire de la FSFE .
L'une des principales missions de la communauté du logiciel libre en
général, et de la FSFE en particulier, est de remettre les utilisateurs
dans le siège du conducteur, pour que les gens contrôlent la technologie
et non l'inverse.
Donc, même si cette conférence a le mot « logiciel » dans son nom «
software » en Anglais, ce n'est pas une conférence technique 1[1] en
tant que telle . C'est plus une conférence sur la façon dont nous allons
influencer le monde de la technologie, ou plutôt comment nous allons
essayer de façonner la vie des utilisateurs d'ordinateur, de smartphone
et d'Internet de part le monde.
Cela peut sembler un objectif ambitieux, mais au cours de ses 15 années
d'existence, la FSFE a été un des instruments du succès d'un procés «
antitrust » contre une grosse société de logiciel qui essayait de
dominer le marché des ordinateurs personnels; nous avons réussi à[2]
éviter les brevets sur les logiciels en Europe[3], évitant une véritable
apocalypse pour les petites et moyennes entreprises de technologie; et
nous avons travaillé aux côtés de gpl-violations.org pour faire en sorte
que les tribunaux allemands fassent respecter les licences libres[4],
créant un précédent révolutionnaire pour l'ensemble de l'UE. Il ne
serait pas exagéré de dire que la FSFE a transformé les fondations de
l'informatique et que nous avons eu un profond impact positif sur toutes
les personnes qui se sont assises devant un ordinateur, qui ont
utilisées un téléphone, ou jouées sur une tablette dans la dernière
décennie.
Chaque année, le nombre de membres de notre communauté grossit, comme
notre influence. Nous n'atteignons pas seulement des développeurs, mais
aussi des universitaires, aficionados, avocats, artistes, commerçants,
femmes et hommes d'affaires et journalistes.
Donc, si vous avez raté nos événements, nous aimerions vous inviter à
participer au sommet FSFE 2016[5]. Nous nous réjouissons de vous
accueillir et sommes à votre disposition pour vous aider à organiser
votre visite à notre événement
Dans le cadre de notre campagne, nous mobilisons également notre
communauté dans votre région . Si vous voulez parler aux gens qui gèrent
les équipes locales / nationales dans votre pays / région / ville et
voir comment ils ont fait une différence, contactez nous et nous vous
aiderons à entrer en contact avec eux.
1. Notez que si vous êtes également intéressé par les techniques à la
pointe pour le développement, le sommet de la FSFE aura lieu dans le
cadre de la QtCon[6]. Cet événement rassemble les développeurs de
plusieurs communautés de logiciels libres qui travaillent dur à la
refonte de l'interface homme-machine. En tant que membre de la
presse, vous aurez également un accès gratuit à l'intégralité de la
QtCon. ↩[7]
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://fsfe.org/#fn1
2. https://fsfe.org/activities/ms-vs-eu/ms-vs-eu.fr.html
3. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/swpat/swpat.fr.html
4. https://fsfe.org/activities/ftf/activities.fr.html
5. https://fsfe.org/community/events/2016/summit/frontpage.en.html
6. https://qtcon.org/
7. https://fsfe.org/#fnref1
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= Compulsory Routers: what customers have to take care of now =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160725-01.fr.html ]
Up until now, Internet service providers (ISPs) in Germany determined
the router users had to use to connect to the Internet. The user had no
say in this decision. This changes on August 1. A new law will allow
users choose the device that gets installed in their homes. The FSFE
wants to ensure everybody knows about their new rights and is asking
users to report cases in which ISPs try to avoid the new regulation.
"Compulsory Routers" are what we call the devices imposed on users,
forbidding them from using any other appliance to access the Internet.
Compulsory routers are often the subject of critical security flaws
which users can't legally or technically fix themselves. They are also
known to be incompatible with certain network devices and standards,
like IPv6, or to support only a small number of important features.
However, the legal situation was ambiguous and ISPs defined the first
router or modem after the wall socket as part of their network. They
could thus bar users from controlling the technology installed within
their own homes, despite the fact that the users were even paying for
the electricity that run the devices.
The Free Software Foundation Europe took up the fight to outlaw
Compulsory Routers in 2013, and we have finally won a major landmark
victory[1]: from August 1 onwards, clients of German internet providers
are allowed by law to use any terminal device they choose. Regardless of
whether it is a DSL or cable connection, the ISP will have to supply the
information you need to connect an alternative router to use the
Internet and telephone network.
== Help us track the implementation ==
The law is very clear with regard to your new rights, but, based on past
behaviours of ISPs, the FSFE must assume many providers will ignore the
regulation and will continue to try and force their clients to use their
default router.
ISPs will probably make the argument that the law only applies to new
customers, or that a connection to the Internet with alternative devices
will be unstable, or denying support to clients with devices other than
the ones they provide.
We want to make sure that these misbehaviours are made public and we
need your help for that. If you are a client of a German internet
provider, we ask you exercise your new right and start using an
alternative device, ideally one that runs Free Software.
Once your new device is up and running, we need you to provide us with
feedback on whether you had any issues while running your new router. We
will collect this data and confront providers that are not in compliance
with the new law. We have also created a wiki page[2] where we report
information, testing procedures, results, and user experiences.
== Further information ==
For more information on Compulsory Routers and why they are bad, please
visit our campaign page[3]. Also see the timeline of the most important
events[4] related to this campaign. To contribute to this and other FSFE
campaigns that defend your freedom, you can support us with a
donation[5] or by becoming a sustaining member[6].
== FSFE Summit 2016 ==
If you're interested in knowing more about how Free Software helps
defend other important rights, we will be holding the FSFE yearly summit
at the beginning of September in Berlin[7]. Come along and discover how
you can also help return the control over technology to people.
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://fsfe.org/news/2015/news-20151105-01.fr.html
2. https://wiki.fsfe.org/Activities/CompulsoryRouters/Implementation/Germany
3. https://fsfe.org/activities/routers/index.fr.html
4. https://fsfe.org/activities/routers/timeline.fr.html
5. https://fsfe.org/donate/index.fr.html
6. https://fsfe.org/join
7. https://fsfe.org/summit16
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= Software Heritage initiative to create an archive of Free Software code =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160629-01.fr.html ]
The Free Software Foundation Europe supports the creation of the
Software Heritage initiative, a platform for the distribution,
advancement, and, especially, long-term preservation and archiving of
Free Software code. The Software Heritage initiative collects and
collates vast amounts of free licensed code to protect it for future
generations.
The importance of software in the modern world cannot be overstated.
Software is at the crux of all contemporary technological development
and has become essential for all areas of scientific research. Software
plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, our industries and our society.
Software has become the reflection of our technological, scientific and
cultural progress.
However, software is prone to disappear, either because it stops being
profitable, or projects get cancelled, or the code is deemed obsolete
and gets erased, or is left to fade on storage that physically degrades
over time.
The Software Heritage[1] initiative is created and funded by Inria[2].
It collects programs, applications and snippets of code distributed
under free licenses from a wide variety of active and defunct sources,
its aim being to protect code from sinking into oblivion. The
distributed and redundant back-end hardens the system against a
potentially disastrous losses of data and guarantees its availability
for users.
Users can check if a certain file exists within the system and propose
new sources the Software Heritage engine can explore in search of more
code to store. Soon users will also be able to find out where the code
originated from using the Provenance information feature, browse the
stored code, run full-text searches on all files, and download the
content.
The Heritage stores only Free Software, in other words, software that
can be used, studied, adapted and shared freely with others; and this is
because the Software Heritage initiative relies on being able to share
the software it stores. The Software Heritage website is designed to be
a useful tool for professionals, scientists, educators and end-users.
Users must be allowed to re-use the code in other products, cutting
development time and costs; engineers should be able to discover how
others solved certain problems; or compare the efficiency of different
solutions to the same problem. And, of course, researchers must have
explicit permission to study the evolution of code over time. This is
only possible if the code is distributed under a Free and Open Source
license.
Matthias Kirschner, President of the Free Software Foundation Europe,
says: "Software is the most important cultural technology of today's
society; it frames what we can and what we cannot do. Software shapes
our communication and culture, our economy, education and research, as
well as politics. It is important to preserve our collective knowledge
about how software has influenced humankind. Collecting source code
makes Software Heritage a valuable resource to understand how our
society worked at any given time, and to build upon knowledge from
humankind." The Software Heritage intiative ensures today's code will
be around for everybody in the future.
=== About Inria ===
Inria[3], the French National Institute for computer science and applied
mathematics, promotes "scientific excellence for technology transfer and
society". Graduates from the world's top universities, Inria's 2,700
employees rise to the challenges of digital sciences. With this open,
agile model, Inria is able to explore original approaches with its
partners in industry and academia and provide an efficient response to
the multidisciplinary and application challenges of the digital
transformation. Inria transfers expertise and research results to
companies (startups, SMEs and major groups) in fields as diverse as
healthcare, transport, energy, communications, security and privacy
protection, smart cities and the factory of the future.
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://www.softwareheritage.org/
2. http://www.inria.fr/en/
3. http://www.inria.fr/en/
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= EU jeopardises its own goals in standardisation with FRAND licensing =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160428-02.fr.html ]
On 19 April, the European Commission published a communication on "ICT
Standardisation Priorities for the Digital Single Market"[1]
(hereinafter 'the Communication'). The Digital Single Market (DSM)
strategy[2] intends to digitise industries with several legislative and
political initiatives, and the Communication is a part of it covering
standardisation. In general, the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)
welcomes the Communication's plausible approach for integrating Free
Software and Open Standards[3] into standardisation but expresses its
concerns about the lack of understanding of necessary prerequisites to
pursue that direction.
== Acknowledging the importance of Free Software ==
The Communication starts with acknowledging the importance of Open
Standards for interoperability, innovation and access to media, cultural
and educational content, and promotes "community building, attracting
new sectors, promoting open standards and platforms where needed,
strengthening the link between research and standardisation". The latter
is closely linked to the "cloud", where the Communication states that
the "proprietary solutions, purely national approaches and standards
that limit interoperability can severely hamper the potential of the
Digital Single Market", and highlights that "common open standards will
help users access new innovative services".
As a result, the Commission concludes that by the end of 2016 it intends
to make more use of Free Software elements by better integrating Free
Software communities into standard setting processes in the standards
developing organisations.
In the Internet of Things (IoT) domain, the Communication acknowledges
the EU need for "an open platform approach that supports multiple
application domains ... to create competitive IoT ecosystems". In this
regard, the Commission states that "this requires open standards that
support the entire value chain, integrating multiple technologies ...
based on streamlined international cooperation that build on an IPR
["intellectual property rights"] framework enabling easy and fair access
to standard essential patents (SEPs)".
FSFE welcomes this direction taken in the Communication, as well as the
Commissioner Günther Oettinger's position, highlighted in his keynote at
the Net Futures 2016[4], that "easy reuse of standard and open
components accelerates digitisation of any business or any industry
sector." Furthermore, according to the Commissioner Oettinger, Free
Software standards "enable transparency and build trust."
== EC putting good efforts at risk ==
However, the attempts of the Commission to promote Open Standards and a
more balanced approach towards "intellectual property rights" policies
in standardisation may be seriously hampered by the Commission's stance
towards FRAND licensing. In particular, the Commission sets the goal to
"clarify core elements of an equitable, effective and enforceable
licensing methodology around FRAND principles" which is seen as striking
the right balance in standardisation and ensuring the "fair and non-
discriminatory" access to standards. Furthermore, it is a well-known
fact that FRAND licensing terms that in theory stand for "fair,
reasonable, and non-discriminatory" terms, in practice are incompatible
with most of Free Software[5].
In conclusion, whilst the Communication sets a positive direction
towards the promotion of Open Standards and the inclusion of Free
Software communities into the standardisation, this direction may be
seriously limited if the Commission fails to acknowledge the
incompatibility of FRAND licensing terms with Free Software licenses.
This in return can in practice make a proper Free Software
implementation of the standard impossible. As a result, the attempts of
the Commission to achieve truly "digital single market" based on
interoperability, openness and innovation will not be achieved as the
significant part of innovative potential found in Free Software will be
in practice excluded from standardisation.
In line with our recommendations on the DSM initiative[6] that got well
received by the Commission, FSFE believes that in order to achieve the
adequate integration of Free Software communities, and the overall
plausible approach towards appropriate use of Open Standards the
Commission needs to avoid the harmful consequences of FRAND licensing to
Free Software, and instead pursue the promotion of standards that are
open, minimalistic and implementable with Free Software. These standards
will give the substance to the Commission's promises to encourage Free
Software communities to participate in standardisation.
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/communication-ict-standa…
2. https://fsfe.org/activities/policy/eu/digital-single-market-comments.en.html
3. https://fsfe.org/activities/os/index.fr.html
4. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/oettinger/announcements/keynote-s…
5. https://fsfe.org/activities/os/why-frand-is-bad-for-free-software.en.html
6. https://fsfe.org/activities/policy/eu/digital-single-market-comments.en.html
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= Joint Statement on the Radio Lockdown Directive =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160411-01.fr.html ]
23 organisations including the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)
joined up in proposing measures[1] to EU institutions and EU member
states to avoid negative implications on users' rights and Free Software
imposed by the EU Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU.
The ‘ Radio Lockdown Directive[2] ’ that will be applicable in the EU
since 13 June 2016 threatens software freedom, users' rights, fair
competition, innovation, environment, and volunteering – without
comparable benefits for security. It introduces disproportionate
‘essential requirement’ in the form of forcing device manufacturers to
prove radio regulatory compliance for every possible software able to
run on every product using the radio frequency spectrum. In practice,
this means that in the future only particular software authorised by the
manufacturers can be installed on any device connecting through wireless
and mobile networks or GPS: e.g. routers, mobile phones, WiFi cards and
the laptops they are built in, or almost all devices including network
functionality.
This requirement will lock users to hardware manufacturers, and will
also disadvantage businesses based on Free Software or any other
alternative software not installed by default by the manufacturer of the
device. Thereby it will have negative implications on fair competition
and freedom to conduct business. The requirement to assess every
possible hardware and software combination to be compliant with the RED
– which is envisaged to enhance security of radio devices – disables
users and businesses to choose software whose security problems can be
fixed by everybody without having to relay on the vendor.
The FSFE and the other signatories, therefore, ask the EU institutions
and the EU member states to safeguard rights of users and businesses to
use and install Free Software and any other alternative third-party
software on their devices; to avoid the lockdown of the devices to the
software provided by the hardware manufacturer; and refrain from
shifting the responsibility for the software's regulatory compliance
from the users to the manufacturers when making changes to the default
configuration. Software and hardware should not be treated differently
in that respect. The EU Commission has been entitled to adopt delegated
acts which can make these vitally needed adjustments.
The joint statement on the Radio Lockdown Directive is open to more
signatures. Whether a user, a charity project, or a business, the Radio
Lockdown Directive affects everyone. We ask other organisations and
companies to support our statement and make sure that the Radio Lockdown
Directive will not place blanket, unnecessary and disproportionate
restrictions on the rights of consumers and businesses when implementing
the Directive into national legislations.
Please also read our detailed analysis[3], and feel free to contact us
if you have any questions.
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://fsfe.org/activities/radiodirective/statement.fr.html
2. https://fsfe.org/activities/radiodirective/radiodirective.fr.html
3. https://fsfe.org/activities/radiodirective/radiodirective.fr.html
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= I love Free Software Day 2016 =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2016/news-20160208-01.fr.html ]
It's time to say "thank you" on 14th of February, the " I love Free
Software[1] " Day 2016. The Free Software Foundation Europe asks all
Free Software users to use the traditional day of love to think of the
hardworking people contributing to the Free Software we all depend on.
As every year[2] there are many ways for people to participate in this
online campaign which has first been celebrated five years ago.
In the Free Software society we exchange a lot of criticism. We write
bug reports, tell others how they can improve the software, ask them for
new features, and generally are not shy about criticising others. There
is nothing wrong about that. It helps us to constantly improve. But
sometimes we forget to show the hardworking people behind the software
our appreciation. We should not underestimate the power of a simple
"thank you" to motivate Free Software contributors in their important
work for society. The 14th of February (a Sunday this year) is the ideal
day to do that.
== Show your love for Free Software ==
Free Software drives a huge number of devices in our everyday life. It
ensures our freedom, our security, civil rights, and privacy. It enables
everyone to participate in a fair society. But as with people, everybody
has different reasons to love Free Software. Let's show this variety to
the world!
As the traditional day to show one's appreciation to people, Valentine's
Day is the perfect opportunity to say *thank you* to the contributors of
the various Free Software you love: developers, translators, designers,
testers, or documentation writers, of huge softwares or smaller
projects. All of them work on the Free Software ecosystem which we can
enjoy every day.
== Be part of #ilovefs ==
It doesn't matter who and where you are and what you do – everyone can
participate at the "I love Free Software" day in many different ways:
- *Pictures*: Send some cool videos or pictures of yourself or your
friends, a meme image, or something completely different – the main
thing is creativity! And with each video and image you automatically
participate in our *#ilovefs competition* (visit our website for more
information). See the pictures of last years[3] for some inspiration.
- *Postcards*: Thank your favourite contributors for their work in an
individual way. For example by sending one of our postcards[4].
- *Spread the word*: Show your appreciation publicly using social
networks or your blog to demonstrate the world how many people love
Free Software – and thereby motivate others to do the same. Just use
the hashtag *#ilovefs* on GnuSocial[5], Twitter[6], or other
platforms.
- *Do it yourself*: You didn't find what you were looking for? No
problem, just do something else! Create small chocolate bars, design
new promotion material... Find out how to make #ilovefs more unique
with your contribution[7].
If everybody contributes a small part we can enjoy a beautiful "I love
Free Software" day together. Let's share videos and pictures, send
postcards, tweets and blog posts, and show our love individually. Happy
I love Free Software day everyone!
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. http://ilovefs.org
2. https://fsfe.org/news/2015/news-20150303-01.fr.html
3. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/ilovefs/whylovefs/gallery.fr.html
4. https://fsfe.org/contribute/spreadtheword.fr.html#ilovefs-postcard
5. http://gnu.io/
6. https://twitter.com/hashtag/ilovefs
7. https://wiki.fsfe.org/ILoveFS-2016
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= FSFE signs association joint letter for terminal device freedom =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2015/news-20151028-01.fr.html ]
Together with 9 other civil and economic organisations the Free Software
Foundation Europe (FSFE) sent a letter to numerous members of the German
Bundestag concerning the compulsory routers issue at the present
Wednesday. The letter is supposed to highlight the importance of passing
the bill for freedom of terminal devices in telecommunication.
On the 4th of November the four parliament committees Economy and
Energy, Law and Consumer Protection, Traffic and Digital Infrastructure,
and Digital Agenda will consult about the bill „for selection and
connection of telecommunication terminal devices“. The 132
representatives who sit in the committees will bear a special
responsibility since it is in their power to save the rights of
consumers and protect small and medium-sized businesses.
„We welcome the Federal Government drafting a bill which can
effectively eradicate compulsory routers“, says Matthias Kirschner,
FSFE's President. „The current status of compulsory routers is
harmful for both citizens and economy. This fact has to be known to
all representatives cross-party. Now we need a quick and unmodified
implementation of the drafted law.“
The bill is the outcome of a long discussion about so-called compulsory
routers. These forbid internet users to use a terminal device of their
choice and force them to always have the provider's device in the own
home network. This widespread practise is a threat to security, privacy,
and independence of all internet users and has negative effects on free
and fair competition of manufacturers.
Despite the unanimous opinion of experts, consumer protectors, and
politicians some members of the Federal Council aligned with the few
current bill's opponents. In doing so they adapted technically
inconsistent and long-disproved arguments of internet providers and
network carriers. Up to now the Federal Government rejected the
Council's criticism as not reasonable.
„Today's letter shall prevent a repetition of the Council's
disappointing reaction. With a broad alliance of many-faceted
supporters of terminal device freedom we ask the committees' members
to put those basic user rights as soon as possible and without any
rotten compromises into law“, says Max Mehl, FSFE's Germany
Coordinator. „As of today no representative can plead lack of
knowledge of the importance of terminal device freedom for the
independent usage and security of the internet.“
You can view the depersonalised version of the sent association joint
letter here[1]. Additionally we listed all important events in the
course of the compulsory routers debate seperately on our website[2].
--
Free Software Foundation Europe <https://fsfe.org>
FSFE News <https://fsfe.org/news/news.en.rss>
Upcoming FSFE Events <https://fsfe.org/events/events.en.rss>
Fellowship Blog Aggregation <https://planet.fsfe.org/en/rss20.xml>
Free Software Discussions <https://fsfe.org/contact/community.en.html>
1. https://fsfe.org/activities/routers/files/20151027_Verbaendeschreiben.pdf
2. https://fsfe.org/activities/routers/timeline.fr.html
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit
non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and
involved in many global activities. Access to software determines
participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in
the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free
Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the
furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study,
modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues,
securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people
Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues
of the FSFE.
http://fsfe.org/
= La FSFE convainc 1 125 administrations de retirer leur publicité pour des logiciels propriétaires =
[ Version en ligne: https://fsfe.org/news/2015/news-20151013-01.fr.html ]
Après six ans d’activité, la campagne PDFreaders[1] touche à sa fin ce
mois-ci. Elle aura été l’une de nos campagnes les plus réussies.
La campagne a commencé en 2009 avec pour but de retirer les publicités
en faveur de lecteurs PDF propriétaires figurant sur les sites
institutionnels d'institutions publiques. Les volontaires ont soumis 2
104 « bugs », c'est-à-dire autant de pages web où autorités publiques
promouvaient des lecteurs PDF propriétaires, que la FSFE a ensuite
listés[2]. Depuis lors, des centaines de personnes sensibilisées à ce
sujet ont écrit aux administrations concernées en leur demandant de
modifier leurs sites. Notre démarche a reçu un accueil bienveillant de
la part des administrations qui nous ont remerciés de le leur avoir
signalé, si bien qu’à ce jour, ce sont 1 125 des 2 104 pages (53 %) qui
ont été éditées en retirant les liens vers des lecteurs PDF
propriétaires, ou en adjoignant des liens vers des lecteurs PDF libres.
En plus d’écrire des lettres, la FSFE a lancé une pétition appelant à la
fin de la publicité pour des logiciels propriétaires sur les sites
gouvernementaux[3]. 90 associations, 63 entreprises, et 2 731 personnes
l'ont signée.
Par ailleurs, nous avons pu provoquer des changements aux niveaux
national et international :
- En Allemagne, des partis nationaux (en allemand)[4] se sont déclarés
en faveur des lecteurs PDF libres et le gouvernement allemand lui-même
a recommandé l’utilisation de notre morceau de texte dans leur guide
de migration (en allemand)[5]. Le coordinateur allemand de la FSFE,
Max Mehl, y revient (en anglais)[6] plus en détail sur son blog.
- Au niveau de l’U.E. : le Parlement européen a demandé directement[7] à
la Commission européenne quelles étaient les raisons de la promotion
de certains logiciels spécifiques et quelles étaient les étapes
prévues pour résoudre le problème ainsi posé.
- En 2011, l’un de nos coordinateurs de la campagne pdfreaders.org,
Hannes Hauswedell, a été en contact avec Google (en anglais)[8], pour
leur demander de libérer le lecteur PDF embarqué dans leur navigateur
Chrome. Finalement, en mai 2014, le code source de pdfium a été libéré
(en anglais)/[9], et si la demande de la FSFE n’a sans doute pas été
le seul facteur de cette avancée, cette dernière reste un tournant
majeur dans l’adoption de lecteurs PDF libres par le grand public.
« Ce succès n’aurait pas été possible sans l’aide et le travail
acharné de nos volontaires et de nos donateurs. *Merci à tous !*
Même si de nombreux sites web publics et privés promeuvent toujours
des lecteurs propriétaires, cette campagne a permis une prise de
conscience des différents acteurs ; il devrait vous être à présent
plus facile d’approcher les administrateurs des sites concernés. En
outre, la plupart des utilisateurs d’Internet utilisent aujourd’hui
un Logiciel Libre lorsqu’ils consultent un PDF dans leur navigateur
– une grande avancée par rapport à ce qui se faisait en 2009 ! »,
annonce Hannes Hauswedell, qui a lancé la campagne. « Bien sûr, le
travail n’est pas fini et nous vous invitons à demander
continuellement aux administrateurs (publics ou non) d’utiliser les
Standards Ouverts et de ne pas recommander l’emploi de logiciels
propriétaires. Avec votre soutien, nous aussi, nous persévèrerons
dans notre combat pour un web qui respecte la liberté et la vie
privée de ses utilisateurs ! »
Pour agir[10], vous pouvez utiliser notre lettre type[11] et l'envoyer
aux administrations concernées, ou bien l'écrire vous-même. Assurez-vous
simplement d’y inclure un lien vers une liste de lecteurs PDF libres[12]
qui puisse remplacer celui présent sur leur site.
Encore merci a tous les sympathisants, volontaires ainsi qu'aux
donateurs, qui, par leur engagement, ont contribué au succès de cette
campagne.
1. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/pdfreaders.fr.html
2. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/buglist.fr.html
3. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/petition.fr.html
4. http://gruen-digital.de/2012/03/document-freedom-day-kleine-anfrage-zur-wer…
5. http://www.cio.bund.de/Web/DE/Architekturen-und-Standards/Migrationsleitfad…
6. http://blog.mehl.mx/2015/german-government-wants-authorities-to-advertise-p…
7. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/parliamentary-questions-eu.fr.html
8. http://blogs.fsfe.org/polina/2015/09/10/free-pdf-reader-for-the-web-browser/
9. https://twitter.com/nasko/status/469595752734269440
10. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/follow-up.fr.html
11. https://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/letter.fr.html
12. http://pdfreaders.org
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to
control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our
lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than
restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use,
understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other
fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations to understand how Free
Software contributes to freedom, transparency, and self-determination.
It enhances users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software
adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and
provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software
in Europe.
http://fsfe.org/