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Please Tell the Open Web Foundation That It Is Not Compatible With Software Freedom

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Summary: The Open Web Foundation, which is co-chaired by Lawrence Rosen and Microsoft's David Rudin, puts out a draft which is not compatible with GPL-licensed software

"Submit your remarks about the usage of RAND term at Open Web Foundation," says the FFII regarding this draft from the Open Web Foundation. The deadline is today (still some hours left in the US). The draft in the page says "royalty free license to my Granted Claims on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms" (RAND is not compatible with the GPL).



"Someone should propose a patch to remove the "reasonable and non-discriminatory terms" because it is an undefined term," argues the FFII.

The Open Web Foundation Legal Committee Co-Chairs are Lawrence Rosen (lrosen@rosenlaw.com) and David Rudin (davidrud@microsoft.com). Do not let them make the Web less compatible with software freedom. Microsoft (and its lobbyists) loves RAND because it's GNU/Linux Kryptonite. Be sure to check out this new article about Microsoft front group ACT lobbying for RAND by infiltrating EU panels:

The web site specializes in publishing secret reports and leaked documents on religious, corporate or governmental, Wikileaks has posted a file showing a plan to curb the free software in Europe.

This file shows that Jonathan Zuck, president of Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) –an organization with close ties to Microsoft–, and founder of Americans for Technology Leadership, had influenced the change of working documents of the European Union.

That lobbies to exert pressure against the government institutions under their interests no doubt, and this document published by Wikileaks is clearly demonstrated.

The document in question is a work project developed by experts from the European Commission. This document has been modified by the ACT and Comptia organizations that have been percolating in several working groups.

These two associations are doing everything in their power to try to stifle free software strategy of the European Union, and helping Europe to create a successful proprietary software sector.

This publication shows how pressure groups influence or attempt to influence the decisions made by the European institutions, but in this case is particularly striking one of these groups trying to influence against free software (ACT) has close ties Microsoft, the largest seller of proprietary software in the world.


The FFII's president summarises the above by quoting:

RT @marcopolom #Wikileaks publishes documents that show a plan to curb the free software in the European Union. http://trunc.it/bpkf0


We covered this story last year in some of the posts below. For some unknown reason it's back to the headlines this month.

  1. European Open Source Software Workgroup a Total Scam: Hijacked and Subverted by Microsoft et al
  2. Microsoft's AstroTurfing, Twitter, Waggener Edstrom, and Jonathan Zuck
  3. Does the European Commission Harbour a Destruction of Free/Open Source Software Workgroup?
  4. The Illusion of Transparency at the European Parliament/Commission (on Microsoft)
  5. 2 Months and No Disclosure from the European Parliament
  6. After 3 Months, Europe Lets Microsoft-Influenced EU Panel be Seen
  7. Formal Complaint Against European Commission for Harbouring Microsoft Lobbyists
  8. 'European' Software Strategy Published, Written by Lobbyists and Multinationals
  9. Microsoft Uses Inside Influence to Grab Control, Redefine “Open Source”

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