FSF News
Library of Congress issues limited exemptions to DMCA anti-circumvention provisions but leaves users without full control over their own computing
On October 27th, 2015, the Library of Congress published its list of exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), denying many of the proposed exemptions and modifying or limiting others. Because of this, users of a wide variety of software and devices, such as ebook readers and video game consoles, still do not have the right to control their own computing. Even for the areas where the exemptions permit users some additional control, they do not permit sharing of methods for obtaining it, and last only three years.
GNU ethical criteria for code repositories emphasize privacy, freedom, and copyleft
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Friday, October 16th, 2015 -- Today the Free Software Foundation and the GNU Project announced the first version of criteria for evaluating services that host free software source code repositories for distribution and collaborative development. Developed with the leadership of Richard Stallman and GNU volunteers, the criteria provide a framework for code repositories to ensure that they respect their users in a manner consonant with the values of the free software movement, and for users to hold these crucial institutions accountable.
FSF, Conservancy publish principles for community-oriented GPL enforcement
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Thursday, October 1st, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today announced publication of "The Principles of Community-Oriented GPL Enforcement," co-authored with the Software Freedom Conservancy. The document lays out the principles that both organizations follow when they receive reports that a company is violating copyleft terms like the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL).
Taurinus X200 laptop now FSF-certified to respect your freedom
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Monday, September 28, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today awarded Respects Your Freedom (RYF) certification to the Taurinus X200 laptop sold by Libiquity LLC. The RYF certification mark means that the product meets the FSF's standards in regard to users' freedom, control over the product, and privacy.
Free Software Foundation seeks nominations for 18th annual Free Software Awards
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Thursday, September 10, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the GNU Project today call upon the free software community to submit nominations for the 18th annual Free Software Awards. The Free Software Awards include the Award for the Advancement of Free Software and the Award for Projects of Social Benefit. The awards are presented each year at the LibrePlanet free software conference, and at the same time nominations for the next year's awards open.
The FSF's statement on Windows 10
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Thursday, July 30, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation urges everyone to reject Windows 10 and join us in the world of free software. Like all proprietary software, Windows 10 puts those that use it under the thumb of its owner. Free software like the GNU/Linux operating system treats users as equals and gives them control over their digital lives.
FSF invites the free software community to its 30th birthday party on October 3rd, 2015
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Friday, July 24, 2015 -- Today the Free Software Foundation (FSF) announced an open invitation to its thirtieth birthday party, to be held in Boston on the evening of Saturday, October 3rd. The party will feature an address by FSF founder and president Richard Stallman. It represents the culmination of an outstanding thirtieth anniversary year, including the biggest LibrePlanet conference ever and an article about GNU in the New Yorker.
Statement on Canonical's updated licensing terms for Ubuntu GNU/Linux
On July 15th, 2015, the Free Software Foundation's Licensing and Compliance Lab, along with the Software Freedom Conservancy, announces that, after two years of negotiations, Canonical, Ltd. has published an update to the licensing terms of Ubuntu GNU/Linux.
FSF endorses embedded GNU/Linux distro ProteanOS as fully free
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Wednesday, July 8, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today announced the addition of ProteanOS to its list of recommended GNU/Linux distributions.
The FSF is hiring: Seeking a full-time outreach and communication coordinator
Our current outreach and communication coordinator has moved into a new position at the FSF, so we are looking for another person to fill the role.
Free Software Foundation announces deputy director search
The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a Boston-based 501(c)(3) charity with a worldwide mission to protect freedoms critical to the computer-using public, would love to find an experienced, Boston-based deputy director to expand our leadership team.
The FSF is hiring: Seeking a Boston-area full-time web developer
The Free Software Foundation (FSF), a Boston-based 501(c)(3) charity with a worldwide mission to protect freedoms critical to the computer-using public, seeks a Boston-based individual to be its full-time web developer.
Community is the focus of 2015's International Day Against DRM
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Wednesday, May 6th, 2015 -- Today, a wide variety of community groups, activist organizations, and businesses are taking part in the ninth International Day Against DRM (dayagainstdrm.org).
LibrePlanet 2015 brings free software luminaries to MIT
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Monday, March 23, 2015 -- The 2015 LibrePlanet free software conference drew nearly 350 activists from around the world to discuss issues of freedom, privacy, and security in computing. Free Software Foundation founder and president Richard Stallman delivered the opening keynote, "Free software, free hardware, and other things" before a packed room at MIT's Stata Center, with hundreds of remote participants tuning in online.
Sébastien Jodogne, Reglue are Free Software Award winners
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Saturday, March 21, 2015 -- Free Software Foundation executive director John Sullivan announced the winners of the FSF's annual Free Software Awards at a ceremony on Saturday, March 21st, held during the LibrePlanet 2015 conference at MIT, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Two awards were given: the Award for the Advancement of Free Software and the Award for Projects of Social Benefit.
Kat Walsh joins FSF board of directors
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, USA — Saturday, March 20, 2015 — The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today announced the addition of Kat Walsh to its board of directors. She becomes the ninth director on the FSF's board.
LibrePlanet free software conference coming to MIT March 21-22
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, USA -- Tuesday, March 10th, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) and MIT's Student Information Processing Board (SIPB) are once again teaming up to bring the LibrePlanet free software conference to Cambridge, March 21-22, 2015 at the Stata Center at MIT. LibrePlanet is an annual conference for people who care about their digital freedoms, bringing together software developers, policy experts, activists, and computer users to learn skills, share accomplishments, and face challenges facing the free software movement. LibrePlanet 2015 will feature programming for all ages and experience levels.
Statement in support of Software Freedom Conservancy and Christoph Hellwig, GPL enforcement lawsuit
While the Free Software Foundation is not directly involved in the suit, we support the effort.
FSF adds Guix System Distribution to list of endorsed distributions
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Tuesday, February 3, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today announced the addition of the Guix System Distribution to its list of recommended GNU/Linux distributions.
Libreboot X200 laptop now FSF-certified to respect your freedom
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Thursday, January 29, 2015 -- The Free Software Foundation (FSF) today awarded Respects Your Freedom (RYF) certification to the Libreboot X200 laptop. The RYF certification mark means that the product meets the FSF's standards in regard to users' freedom, control over the product, and privacy.