[ for immediate release ]
FSFE becomes WIPO observer
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of 16
specialised agencies of the United Nations which primarily deals with
global policies granting monopolies on knowledge and other
"virtualities." These policies filter down into local legislation,
shaping the way humankind approaches the knowledge based society.
Currently there are many threats to the freedom of our society and our
economy in a knowledge based society -- from the European Copyright
Directive (EUCD) to the expansion of patentability -- originating at
least ideologically at UN level and beyond discussion when they are
finally passed as national laws. This leaves very little room to
attempt to limit the harm and damaging effects.
For that reason, FSFE has requested to be granted observer status at
the WIPO in 2003, which was confirmed by the Assembly of the Member
States of WIPO from 27 September to 5 October, 2004.
In the scope of the FSFE WIPO project team [1], the FSFE will work
with other players to change WIPO from an organisation that is solely
oriented towards monopolisation of knowledge to one that is aimed at
increasing the intellectual wealth of all of humankind through a more
flexible, sustainable and effective tool set. [2]
"Whenever Civil Society tried to approach the issues of Patents,
Copyrights and Trademarks during the United Nations World Summit on
the Information Society (WSIS), we were told that WIPO was the place
to have these discussions and make these changes", Georg Greve,
president of FSFE explains.
He continues: "If WIPO is the place to do this, then WIPO is where we
need to participate to preserve freedom in the digital age."
More information can be found on the FSFE web site at
[1] http://fsfeurope.org/projects/wipo/
[2] http://fsfeurope.org/documents/wiwo.en.html
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charitable
non-governmental organisation dedicated to all aspects of Free
Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate
in a digital society. Therefore the Freedoms to use, copy, modify and
redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition-
allow equal participation in the information age. 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. The FSFE was founded in 2001 as the
European sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation in the
United States.
Further information: http://www.fsfeurope.org
[for immediate release]
FSFE: "Freedom is priceless, but has a cost!"
"The Free Software Foundations have a 20 year history of implementing
and defending freedom in the information society -- be it on a on a
single user machine or at the European Court in Luxembourg -- and we
are proud of the independence and integrity we have always
maintained", the president of Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)
Georg Greve says in view of the settlement between Microsoft and the
Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).
As reported by the Financial Times, Microsoft bought CCIAs withdrawal
from the European Court case, deserting the European Commission for
payment of 20 Million US-Dollar to the CCIA, half of which were paid
to CCIAs president Ed Black personally.
"Microsoft has invested more than 2.5bn USD into buying two things
from SUN, Novell and the CCIA: The immediate freedom of European
companies and consumers and the capability of the European Commission
to bring about future successful antitrust investigations," Greve
continues. "It may briefly increase their financial assets, but at the
cost of future market perspectives." Examples are home entertainment,
operating systems built into cars and mobile phones.
The Free Software Foundation Europe emphasizes that with each turn of
the wheel, it will become more difficult to break the vicious
cycle. Each failed antitrust ruling will give Microsoft more assets to
buy parties out of future antitrust investigations. Unlike CCIA,
Novell or SUN, the Free Software Foundation Europe cannot be bought
and will continue to support the European Commission in the case.
"Those who wish to see freedom of market restored should be aware that
never can someone with deeper pockets divert support already given to
FSFE, as it happened with the CCIA. This independence is priceless,
but not without cost. The only thing that might therefore be able to
stop us is lack of resources because of lack of support." Greve
finishes.
FSFE members are available for interviews and further details.
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charitable
non-governmental organisation dedicated to all aspects of Free
Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate
in a digital society. Therefore the Freedoms to use, copy, modify and
redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition-
allow equal participation in the information age. 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. The FSFE was founded in 2001 as the
European sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation in the
United States.
Further information: http://www.fsfeurope.org
Press Speaker:
Joachim Jakobs <jj at office.fsfeurope.org>
Cell: +49-179-6919565
Other Contacts:
Georg C. F. Greve <greve at fsfeurope.org>
Tel: +49-40-23809080
Fax: +49-40-23809081
Stefano Maffulli <maffulli at fsfeurope.org>
Cel: +39 347 14 93 733
First South Tyrolean Free Software Conference enriches Linux Day in 2004
The predominant German speaking Italian province South Tyrol serves as a
bridge between Germany and Italy in a number of aspects. Just as with
Free Software.
As Free Software becomes even more important in South Tyrol, the
GNU/Linux User Group Bozen/Bolzano/Bulsan [1] has developed the
traditional Linux Day into the three day South Tyrolean Free Software
Conference (26.-28.11.2004). The Program is varied and even adresses
people outside of the classic target groups, e.g. with the first South
Tyrolean author meeting of the free encyclopaedia Wikipedia. A typical
South Tyrolean highlight hides behind the title "Linux and Art" - alpine
wood carvings which are brought to live by GNU/Linux based computers as
the "bodyguard", "he" looks after the visitor sceptically.
The Free Software Conference is supported by the Debian project and the
Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE): Their members will give three
different lectures: Werner Koch will speak about "Privacy and encryption
techniques", Alessandro Rubini will present "Free Software in teaching"
and gives an "Introduction to kernel programming".
The Presentations will be made in German and Italian. The entrance is
free. Accommodation can be found at [3].
[1] www.LUGBZ.org
[2] www.SFScon.it
[3] www.suedtirolerland.it
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charitable
non-governmental organisation dedicated to all aspects of Free
Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate
in a digital society. Therefore the Freedoms to use, copy, modify and
redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition-
allow equal participation in the information age. 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. The FSFE was founded in 2001 as the
European sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation in the
United States.
Further information: http://www.fsfeurope.org
--
Joachim Jakobs <jj(a)office.fsfeurope.org>
Press Speaker - FSF Europe (http://fsfeurope.org)
In der Roede 24, 64367 Mühltal (Tel: +49-179-6919565)
Microsoft has steadily been soliciting supporters of the European
Commission antitrust case to withdraw their support for the Commission
by offering a series of financial settlements. The agreement with Sun
Microsystems to withdraw has now been joined by financial settlements
with Novell and the CCIA, in which they also agreed to withdraw from the
case.
In light of these developments, the Free Software Foundation Europe
(FSFE) reaffirms its determination to support the European Commission in
the landmark antitrust case, in which a decision is expected soon.
The list of supporters of the European Commission may be getting
shorter, but the FSFE and Software & Information Industry Association
(SIIA) are still participating in the case, and fighting on behalf of
European consumers. The FSFE's commitment to the case and its support of
the Commission is not undermined by the recent developments.
"There is not enough money in the world to buy our withdrawal from this
case. My client did not join this case in mere self-interest. Our goal
is to help the Commission restore some of the freedoms of the market and
restore the competition that was lost in previous years", explains Carlo
Piana, who represents the FSFE in this case.
"We believe that in cooperation with the SAMBA team we have done a
very good job so far and we will continue our effort for the sake of
those who are apparently all too easily forgotten -- the Free Software
developers and European customers.", adds Georg Greve, president of the
Free Software Foundation Europe.
Georg Greve points out: "We are financed purely by donations, and are
engaged in this struggle as we believe this is the right thing to do for
our supporters and for Europe. We will not give up this fight."
"For the Samba Team, this case is about leveling the playing field, and
encouraging Microsoft to use Royalty-free Open Public Standards in its
products" said Volker Lendecke & John Terpstra of the Samba Team. "We
fully support the FSFE and the European Commission in this case, and
will continue to provide direct evidence of how Microsoft has used its
monopoly to obstruct software interoperability and damage the
competitive landscape in Europe."
[1] http://www.novell.com/news/press/archive/2004/11/pr04076.html
[2] http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/53028
FSFE members are available for interviews and further details.
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charitable
non-governmental organisation dedicated to all aspects of Free
Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate
in a digital society. Therefore the Freedoms to use, copy, modify and
redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition-
allow equal participation in the information age. 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. The FSFE was founded in 2001 as the
European sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation in the
United States.
Further information: http://www.fsfeurope.org
Press Speaker:
Joachim Jakobs <jj at office.fsfeurope.org>
Cell: +49-179-6919565
Other Contacts:
Georg C. F. Greve <greve at fsfeurope.org>
Tel: +49-40-23809080
Fax: +49-40-23809081
Stefano Maffulli <maffulli at fsfeurope.org>
Cel: +39 347 14 93 733
--
Joachim Jakobs <jj(a)office.fsfeurope.org>
Press Speaker - FSF Europe (http://fsfeurope.org)
In der Roede 24, 64367 Mühltal (Tel: +49-179-6919565)
1. From WIPO to WIWO
2. Via Libre becoming associate organisation
3. FSFE at the LWE in Frankfurt
4. Other public appearances
5. FSFE watches the Municipality of Pavia
6. Italian system integrator, Engineering, chooses GNU GPL
7. Donations via PayPal
1. From WIPO to WIWO
Seeking to endorse the Geneva Declaration, a group of organisations
declared their support in form of advocating the idea of a "World
Intellectual Wealth Organisation" to take the place of WIPO. This
organisation would be searching for new questions and answers, not
just for more careful application of the old tool of granting limited
monopolies on knowledge.
http://www.fsfeurope.org/documents/wiwo.en.html
2. Via Libre becoming associate organisation
Fundación Vía Libre, a Free Software organisation in Argentinia,
became associated organisation of the FSFE. This is the latest
highlight of a long and productive history of cooperation between the
European and the Latin American Free Software communities.
3. FSFE at the LWE in Frankfurt
The FSFE was again present with a booth at this year's LWE in
Frankfurt, Germany, where two members of Wilhelm Tux, FSFE's Swiss
associate organisation, joined the booth team.
4. Other public appearances
At a conference called "E-Südtirol" in Bozen, Italy, Georg Greve
spoke about "autonomy and freedom of knowledge in the information
society". He also participated in several workshops at that event.
Shortly afterwards, Georg Greve attended the "Zukunftsforum IT"
Conference in Berlin, which was organised by the Handelsblatt, the
most influential economic newspaper in Germany, to speak about the
overall vision of Free Software.
A little later, in Evora, Portugal, Georg Greve gave a short
presentation and participated in a round table at the aLANtejo
conference organised by students of the local university. He also took
the opportunity to meet several people from the Free Software Community
in Portugal, in particular from FSFE's associate organisation ANSOL and
intensify the cooperation between the FSFE and the Portugese Free
Software movement.
Towards the end of the month, Georg Greve gave the opening keynote for
the BerLINux event in Berlin, Germany.
5. FSFE watches the Municipality of Pavia, Italy
The Municipality of Pavia announced that it will help building a new
backoffice framework for the Italian local public administrations.
This package will be funded by private banks, developed by an Italian
company and distributed by Microsoft. The FSFE managed to get invited
as observer in the technical meeting, where the specifications of the
project will be defined. The Italian Chapter will follow closely the
issue and inform the Italian community.
6. Italian system integrator, Engineering, chooses GNU GPL
The GNU GPL has been chosen by one of the biggest Italian system
integrators, Engineering (www.eng.it), for the release of its
application framework SPAGO. Engineering worked with FSFE to make
sure that the license was well applied and also asked to comment on
the governance of the project. Although the software falls in the
Java Trap, the Italian Chapter was happy to help and hopes more
companies ask FSFE to support their business.
7. Donations via PayPal
Supporting the work of FSFE has just become easier for those who prefer
to donate by credit card and/or via the PayPal service. A web page
where an online donation can be made is available:
http://www.fsfeurope.org/help/paypal.en.html
You can find a list of all FSF Europe newsletters on
http://www.fsfeurope.org/news/newsletter.en.html
Dear Mr Barroso,
The preceding European Commission (EC) was campaigning actively for the
introduction of software patents in Europe. This campaign was against
the information and evidence showing that this would lead to
considerable risk to the European economies: On top of the studies
already known [1], recent publications by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC)
[2] and Deutsche Bank Research [3] further underlines the damaging
consequences of software patents on Europe. As The Register quotes PwC:
"The mild regime [...] in the past has led to a very innovative and
competitive software industry with low entry barriers. A software
patent, which serves to protect inventions of a non-technical nature,
could kill the high innovation rate."
The reality that software patents are becoming an innovation restriction
may be one reason why all the parties in the German parliament objected
to their introduction. This is the first time (which we are aware of)
that all parties have objected in this way. Furthermore acknowledging
the damaging effect of software patents, the latest idea of the parting
European Commission is compulsory insurance [4] to limit the damage.
This insurance would apply to both defendants and patentees. When
looking for examples of software patent litigation that this insurance
should protect against, one does not have to look far: Eolas
Technologies sued Microsoft because of the infringement of a software
patent in 1999. Meanwhile - five years and remarkable legal expenses
later - the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has declared the patent
invalid. There is no expert certain the patent would be upheld.
Nevertheless Eolas declared they would keep fighting, there is no way to
predict when this litigation will end. Eolas is continuing along this
road without insurance against losing the lawsuit.
In this sense, the planned compulsory insurance is like firefighting
with petrol: We already have 30,000 software patents in Europe. Many
compulsory insured patentees will consider the insurance as an
investment they need a return on. Returns from software patents are
reaped in lawsuits filed. The result: Rapidly exploding insurance
premiums, insurance companies limiting their risk to what they can
calculate, and in the end patentees and defendants will find
themselves in a situation similar to one without compulsory insurance,
but with one important difference: They will have spent an insane
amount of money on a useless insurance and bureaucracy for its
administration will have skyrocketed. With these developments, working
on reducing bureaucracy in the European Commission will become a
futile endeavour, but more importantly, innovations in the information
society will be eliminated and Europe will not become a competitive
knowlege based economy by 2010.
We therefore ask you to please spare the European economy both the
introduction of software patents (one of the most efficient road blocks
to innovation and economic growth in the information society) and the
madness of insurance against this needlessly created risk.
With kind regards,
Georg Greve
President
Free Software Foundation Europe
[1]
http://mail.fsfeurope.org/pipermail/press-release-de/2004q2/000030.html
[2] www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/15/pwc_swpat_are_a_threat/
[3]
www.dbresearch.com/PROD/DBR_INTERNET_EN-PROD/PROD0000000000175949.pdf
[4]
http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/indprop/patent/docs/patent-lit…
--
Joachim Jakobs <jj(a)office.fsfeurope.org>
Press Speaker - FSF Europe (http://fsfeurope.org)
In der Roede 24, 64367 Mühltal (Tel: +49-179-6919565)