FSFE files application for leave to intervene in antitrust suit against Microsoft
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) today filed an application for leave to intervene in the antitrust suit against Microsoft. Georg Greve, President of FSFE said: "The more Microsoft is able to purchase its opponents' solidarity, the more important FSFE's commitment to freedom and interoperability is."
According to Greve, FSFE meets Microsoft and other adversaries of freedom in various venues these days: "Yesterday there was a hearing in Brussels regarding the 'Intellectual Property Rights European Enforcement Directive' (IPRED2) - a directive pushed by the rights-holding industry to raise the barriers around their distribution monopolies. Last week we discovered how Microsoft was able to rewrite the Vienna Conclusions on ICT and Creativity for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). Earlier this summer we helped save Europe from the serious troubles caused by software patents."
He continues: "All these initiatives aim at limiting the freedom of software developers and normal people in their everyday life alike. But many people don't realise how their freedom is being threatened. If they want to keep it, they need to stand up and defend it. One way of doing that is by joining The Fellowship of FSFE today, and by encouraging others to join."
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), founded 2001, 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. The 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. Further information about FSFE's work can be found at http://fsfeurope.org, get active yourself at http://fsfeurope.org/contribute/.
-- Joachim Jakobs jj@office.fsfeurope.org Media Relations - FSF Europe (http://fsfeurope.org) fixed line: +49 700 - 373387673, Ext.: 4004 mobile: +49-179-6919565
Join the Fellowship and protect your freedom! (http://www.fsfe.org)