= Cyber Resilience Act: First committee backs FSFE demand to protect Free Software =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230629-01.en.html ]
The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) today launched a landmark decision to protect Free Software developers in the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) today launched a landmark decision to protect Free Software developers in the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). In September last year, the EU Commission presented the CRA. The proposal to exclude Free Software “outside the course of a commercial activity” would fail to address a large part of software that will not be covered but is deployed. Furthermore, smaller and non-profit projects would be harmed as they would have to bear major costs. We, therefore, proposed a solution [1] that will lead to more security while safeguarding the Free Software ecosystem:
1. Liability should be shifted to those deploying Free Software instead of those developing Free Software and
2. Those who significantly financially benefit from this deployment should make sure the software becomes CE-compliant
/Alexander Sander, FSFE Senior Policy Consultant explains:/ "The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, a committee for opinion in CRA, has backed our demand and voted for the protection of Free Software developers in the Cyber Resilience Act. We are particularly delighted with the transfer of those protections into an article and the precise description of how Free Software should be protected in the future. The lead committee is now called upon to follow this vote" /./ Shortly, the leading committee, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), will define its position and submit it to the plenary for a vote. After that, the trialogue with Parliament, Council and Commission will begin in order to reach a final agreement. At the same time, similar rules are being negotiated in the Product Liability Directive (PLD). Here, too, FSFE is calling for the protection of developers of Free Software [2]. We thank all those organisations and individuals contributing to this position and making sure to safeguard Free Software in those files.
1: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230323-01.en.html 2: https://fsfe.org/news/2023/news-20230323-01.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 understand how Free Software contributes to freedom, transparency and self-determination. We enhance 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.