[FSFE PR][EN] FSFE welcomes CDU decision to make Free Software mandatory

[press at fsfe.org]

 = FSFE welcomes CDU decision to make Free Software mandatory =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2019/news-20191125-01.en.html ]

The Free Software Foundation Europe welcomes the CDU's party convention
resolution on the use of Free Software. At its 32nd party conference
this weekend, the CDU resolved to join FSFE in demanding that software
developed with public money should be publicly available as Free
Software. This decision aligns with our "Public Money, Public Code!"
campaign, which is supported by over 170 organisations and 26,000
individuals.

    Matthias Kirschner, President of FSFE, states: "Free Software gives
    everyone the right to use, study, share and improve programs for any
    purpose. These freedoms strengthen other fundamental rights such as
    freedom of speech, freedom of the press and the right to privacy.
    Digital sovereignty can only be achieved through Free Software. We
    are pleased that our campaign has now gotten through to the
    governing CDU party and that the conservatives support our demand
    "Public Money? Public Code!". We now expect the CDU to immediately
    work within the government to create the legal basis for publicly
    funded software to be released under a Free- and Open-Source
    Software license."

Background: The CDU's party convention resolution states [1]:

"The open and jointly developed standards of the Internet and open
interfaces are the principles from which we advance the digitisation of
Germany. It is only through openness that competition can be created;
only through openness can new players in competition challenge the top
dogs. This is why the following will apply to all (public) digitisation
projects in Germany in the future: the awarding of contracts and funding
will be subject to compliance with the principles of open source and
open standards. Software financed by public funds should serve all
citizens. In addition, free and open APIs should facilitate access for
independent developments." (Translation provided by FSFE)

Further background information can be found on the campaign website [2].
The video and other content found there are available for free
distribution under a CC BY SA 4.0 license.

 1: https://www.cdu.de/system/tdf/media/images/leipzig2019/2019-11-23-digitalcharta-innovationsplattform-d-beschluss.pdf?file=1
 2: https://publiccode.eu

  == 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