FSFE Timeline - Working for Free Software since 2001
With the support of our supporters, and our donors, the FSFE has been promoting and defending all aspects of software freedom in Europe since 2001. Take a look at our most important achievements in different areas with our timeline.
In the timeline we differ between the FSFE's activity frames Device Neutrality, Legal Education, Market Regulations, Organisational Development, Public Money? Public Code!, Volunteer Engagement and Young Generation.
2025
Ada & Zangemann animated movie released
The FSFE's book Ada & Zangemann was adapted into an animated movie, reaching new audiences worldwide. The movie marked a significant step in the FSFE's long-term strategy to engage with the young generation about software freedom.
En savoir plusCommunity input on the Cyber Resilience Act
The FSFE and the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) worked together with representatives from civil society, academia, industry and public authorities in a project on the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and its implication for Free Software.
En savoir plusRefund4Freedom Initiative launched
The FSFE and the Italian Linux Society jointly launched Refund4Freedom, an initiative to support users in reclaiming the cost of the unwanted Windows licences bundled with their new purchased hardware.
En savoir plus"Public Money? Public Code! in practice" symposium
The FSFE organised the symposium “Public Money? Public Code! in practice”,where representatives from public administration, politics, business, academia, and civil society discussed how Free Software procurement, funding, and ecosystem collaboration can reduce dependencies and strengthen digital sovereignty.
En savoir plusLegal Corner column launched
The FSFE started publishing the Legal Corner, a regular column that seeks to explain the diverse legal concepts that Free Software developers may encounter, as well as explore current events in the legal realm that mpact Free Software.
En savoir plusVision 2048 defined
The FSFE discussed what the world could look like across the different areas of our work by 2048, and made significant strides toward that vision.
En savoir plus2024
Litigation Against Apple under the Digital Markets Act
The FSFE intervenes in litigation brought by Apple against the European Commission before the Court of Justice of the European Union. The FSFE's goal is to enforce the DMA in a developer-friendly way.
En savoir plusCalled for public sustainable long-term funding
The FSFE responded to the European Commission's cut of funding for the NGI Initiative, highlighting its demand for secured long-term funding for Free Software across Europe.
En savoir plusDevice Neutrality website launched
The FSFE unveiled a dedicated landing page to explain the concept of Device Neutrality in a simple and accessible way for all users, regardless of technical background.
En savoir plus2023
TEDective, winner of the EU Datathon prize
"TEDective" won the first prize at the EU Datathon. This Free Software tool was designed by the FSFE to help citizens and journalists analyse and visualise public spending data from the EU's TED procurement database.
En savoir plusRouter Freedom tech wiki published
The FSFE introduced the new Router Freedom tech wiki, prepared by our Netherlands team of volunteers. The aim of this guide is to replace the modem of your ISP by your own.
En savoir plusOpenwashing at German Sovereign Workplace
The FSFE critically examined the German government's initiative "Sovereign Workplace", which was labelled as "Free Software". We raised questions about missing source code, accountability, and public spending.
En savoir plus2022
‘What is Free Software (Open Source)?’ video released
The FSFE published 'What is Free Software (Open Source)? Software freedom explained in less than three minutes! to explain the complex topic of software freedom'. This video helps to understand and grasp the importance of Free Software.
En savoir plusOpen Letter "The universal right to install any software on any device"
More than 100 civil society organisations across sectors signed our open letter “The universal right to install any software on any device”. The letter was hand delivered to the Chair of the Digital Affairs Committee at the German Parliament in 2023.
En savoir plus'Youth Hacking 4 Freedom' first edition
The FSFE successfully launched Youth Hacking 4 Freedom (YH4F), a pan-European and annual programming competition aimed at inspiring teenagers to engage with Free Software.
En savoir plusThe FSFE part of the ZOOOM Initiative
Funded by the EC, the ZOOOM consoritum promoted a solid understanding of licensing requirements and business needs in the intersection of Free Software, Open Data and Open Source Hardware.
En savoir plusArtificial Intelligence and Free Software
The FSFE analysed how AI can be more verifiable, trustworthy, and innovative with Free Software, and made policy recommendations. This result was presented in different conferences.
En savoir plus2021
The FSFE Women group formed
The FSFE Women group was created to help women and everyone who identifies as female build connections with each other while discussing technological issues.
En savoir plusFirst ‘Legal Education Day’
The FSFE organized the first ‘Legal Education Day’ (LED) to provide basic legal education on the legal context of Free Software: copyright law and the concept of copyleft.
En savoir plusUpcycling Android Campaign launched
The FSFE started this initiative to help users install Free Software operating systems on their phones, by organizing workshops across Europe, and developing policy recommendations to extend hardware lifetimes and reduce electronic waste.
En savoir plusAda & Zangemann Children's Book published
The FSFE released "Ada & Zangemann – A Tale of Software, Skateboards, and Raspberry Ice Cream", a children's book written by the FSFE President Matthias Kirschner and published under a Creative Commons licence.
En savoir plusDevice Neutrality initiative
The FSFE's initiative to protect Device Neutrality and software freedom by countering lock-ins, strengthening end-user control over data, and defending the uer's right to free to install, run, and uninstall software on their own devices.
En savoir plusKey court case on Windows license refund
The FSFE's supporter Luca Bonissi won a two-year court case against Lenovo in Italy, with the court ordering the company to pay 20.000 euros in damages for refusing to refund the price of a pre-installed Windows licence.
En savoir plus2020
“Learning like a pro” launched
The local FSFE group in Zurich created a website which they explain why Free Software matters in education, described individual Free Software solutions and how these solutions in particular can be used to make school learning efficient and easy.
En savoir plusFree Software for COVID-19 contact tracing apps
The FSFE advocated that all publicly funded COVID-19 contact tracing apps should be released under a Free Software licence. Both the EU and the WHO followed the FSFE's arguments and recommended that any COVID-19 contact tracing app be published as Free Software.
En savoir plus2019
Router Freedom reaches the European level
After victories in Germany, the FSFE expands its advocacy for Router Freedom at EU level, preparing a comprehensive activity package including a monitoring tool for people and organisations willing to advocate for freedom of terminal equipment.
En savoir plusLaunch of the Software Freedom Podcast
The FSFE launched a podcast series to talk with people who have inspiring ideas about software freedom and to reach broader audiences beyond its traditional community.
En savoir plusReuse 3.0
The FSFE released an updated set of best practices together with more assisting material and tools.
En savoir plusTearing down barriers introduced by the Radio Lockdown Directive
The European Commission collected 276 public comments on the Radio Equipment Directive, most of them critical. The FSFE continued pressing regulators to recognise that the right to install Free Software is fundamental to security, education, and innovation.
En savoir plusFirst Parliament in Europe demands public code
The Parliament of Asturias became the first Parliament in Europe to vote in favour of signing our open letter demanding "Public Money? Public Code!".
En savoir plusExpert brochure published
The FSFE published the new expert policy brochure of Public Money? Public Code!" as a helpful source of information.
En savoir plus2018
Creation of CARE team
To further ensure the availability and enforcement of our Code of Conduct, we created a CARE team so that whenever our Code of Conduct is breached within the FSFE community, you can contact our central CARE team.
En savoir plusThe FSFE joined its first NGI consortium
The NGI is a European Commission initiative supporting technologies that shape the internet into an open, inclusive, and privacy-respecting platform. The FSFE is part of the NGI Zero consortium, providing support on legal and licensing questions.
En savoir plusExclusion of Free Software in the European Union's Copyright Directive
The FSFE obtained the first limited exclusion for Free Software in a major EU legislation. In this case in the amendments 143 and 150 of the current copyright reform proposal of the European Parliament's directive.
En savoir plus2017
REUSE Initiative launched
The FSFE created an initiative to deliver the best development options for Free Software licensing compliance.
En savoir plusFiduciary Licensing Agreement 2.0 is released
After 10 years of the Fiduciary License Agreement 1.2 (FLA-1.2). The FSFE joins forces with ContributorAgreements.org to produce FLA-2.0.
En savoir plusLaunch of 'Public Money? Public Code!'
The FSFE initiates a campaign framework for legislation requiring that publicly financed software developed for the public sector be made publicly available under a Free Software licence.
En savoir plusLaunch of Save Code Share
The FSFE starts a campaign to gather support against violations of Free Software in the EU Directive "Copyright in the Digital Single Market".
En savoir plusLaunch of git.fsfe.org
The FSFE launches a Gitea service instance for its contributors.
En savoir plus2016
The FSFE organises its 2016 summit
Marking its 15th anniversary, the FSFE calls in its community to join together under one roof for the first FSFE Summit.
En savoir plusRouter Freedom established in Germany
After three years of intense engagement with policy makers in Germany, Router Freedom became a reality in the country. A telecom law enabled customers to use their own routers with their Internet connections, enabling them to use Free Software for their connections.
En savoir plusDFD campaign run by Digital Freedom Foundation
After years of organising the Document Freedom Day, the FSFE handed over the campaign to the Digital Freedom Foundation who will continue organising the event every year in support of Open Standards.
En savoir plus2015
Legal Network reaches 400 participants
The FSFE's Legal Network launched in 2006, reaches 400 participants from all over the world.
En savoir plusThe FSFE convinces 1125 public administration to remove proprietary software ads.
After a six years long campaign, the PDFreaders campaign closes after 1125 public administrations have removed advertisement for proprietary software from their web pages.
En savoir plusMatthias Kirschner is elected as new president
Having worked with the FSFE since 2004, Matthias Kirschner was elected president together with Alessandro Rubini as vice president.
En savoir plusThe FSFE issues a position paper on OER
The position paper is a boost of Open Educational Resources on the basis of Free Software
En savoir plus2014
33 Free Software Pact supporters elected to the EU Parliament
33 newly elected MEPs across the political spectrum signed the Free Software Pact, promising to support Free Software and Open Standards during their time in Parliament.
En savoir plusItaly puts Free Software first
The Italian government has made Free Software the default choice for public administrations, setting a precedence for the rest of Europe to follow.
En savoir plus2013
First European Coordinators Meeting
The FSFE coordinators from all over Europe meet in Berlin for the first time to exchange knowledge and discuss future strategies.
En savoir plusGerman parliament unanimous against Software Patents
After many talks and expert meetings, the German Parliament unanimously approved the joint motion which included nearly all of the FSFE's core demands.
En savoir plus2012
Analysis of warranty after flashing phones
The FSFE's Legal team clarifies that flashing your phone in order to install Free Software doesn't void your warranty in the EU.
En savoir plusGerman Government's White Paper on Secure Boot
Device owners should be in full control of their devices, says Ministry of Interior, echoing the FSFE's core demands.
En savoir plusPromoting fair public procurement in Finland
The FSFE activists in Finland analyse hundreds of procurement notices, and contact public bodies that put Free Software at a disadvantage.
En savoir plusOpen Standards consultation in the UK
The FSFE helps the UK government set one of Europe's strongest policies on Open Standards.
En savoir plusMicrosoft fined for violating settlement
The European Commission impose a EUR 561 million fine on Microsoft for violating the web browser settlement. The FSFE had warned of the settlement's lack of a monitoring mechanism.
En savoir plusFree Your Android launched
Most smartphones come with non-free software and some restrictions. The FSFE stars a campaign to help users free their phones and use Free Software apps.
En savoir plusConcerns over the Nortel patent portfolio sale
The FSFE calls on US competition regulators about faulty competition settlement regarding sale of Nortel patent portfolio. The lawsuit occurs in November 2013, as Rockstar sues Google over Android.
En savoir plusFirst "Hacking for compliance" workshop
At this workshop, the FSFE trains volunteers to identify and prove GNU GPL violations in embedded devices.
En savoir plus2011
AVM vs. Cybits case
The FSFE supported the case of AVM vs. Cybits and the court confirmed FSFE's view that users of GNU GPLed software are allowed to modify and install it even if it is shipped as a part of an embedded device's firmware.
En savoir plusEuropean Court of Justice hearing
The FSFE played a key role at a Microsoft hearing before the European Union's General Court, helping explain the intricacies of Free Software servers.
En savoir plusInput to EU's R&D funding program
The FSFE provided input to the Commission in order to make Horizion 2020 (EU's R&D funding program for the period 2014-2020) accessible for Free Software research and projects.
En savoir plus2010
The FSFE is awarded the Theodor Heuss Medal
The FSFE receives the Theodor Heuss medal for its work on freedom in the information society.
En savoir plusThe FSFE's founding president awarded German Cross of Merit
Georg C. F. Greve, founding president of the FSFE, receives this high award (Verdienstkreuz am Bande).for his work on Free Software and Open Standards.
En savoir plusFirst "I love Free Software" Day
Every 14 February since 2010, the FSFE asks Free Software users to thank the developers of the software they use every day.
En savoir plus2009
"Ask Your Candidates" launched
For the federal elections in Germany, the FSFE started this initiative to ask the parties' candidates about their positions on Free Software and Open Standards
En savoir plusKarsten Gerloff is elected as new president
Team member of the FSFE since 2005, Karsten Gerloff was elected FSFE president together with Fernanda Weiden as vice president.
En savoir plusPDFReaders campaign
Many websites from public administrations advertise proprietary PDF readers to read their documents. This is unfair advertising of an US software company. Therefore the FSFE informs about free PDF readers and contacts public institutions to tell them about it.
En savoir plus2008
Document Freedom Day campaign launched
For the first time, the FSFE promotes this international day to celebrate and show support for access to information and Open Standards.
En savoir plusFirst Free Software Licensing and Legal Workshop
The Free Software Licensing and Legal Workshop (LLW) gathers experts to discuss license and legal topics, organized by the FSFE's Freedom Task Force.
En savoir plus2007
Victory on the Microsoft antitrust case
From 2004 until its conclusion in 2007, the FSFE worked hard on this case with the Samba team to protect the interests of Free Software developers. As a result, Microsoft is required to publish interoperability information.
En savoir plusAgainst the standardisation of MS-OOXML
Microsoft tried to make OOXML an Open Standard. This implementation lacks interoperability information and can be considered an attempt to undermine Open Standards. By informing about this issue, MS-OOXML ended up not being established well enough to be a danger anymore.
En savoir plusFiduciary License Agreement
The FSFE releases the Fiduciary License Agreement (FLA) to ensure legal maintability of Free Software projects and rights in court. In 2008, KDE adopted it as well.
En savoir plus2006
First Fellowship conference
The first Fellowship conference took place in Bolzano, Italy, enabling FSFE supporters to meet in person.
En savoir plusThe FSFE's Legal Team established
Operating in close collaboration with gpl-violations.org, "FSFE Legal" educates and supports Free Software developers in legal aspects.
En savoir plusLegal Network founded
The Legal Network is a neutral, non-partisan, group of experts in different fields involved in Free Software legal issues and the aim of it is to promote discussion and foster better knowledge of the legal constructs that back Free Software.
En savoir plusDRM.info campaign launched
Under the slogan "Your devices don't trust you", the FSFE starts a campaign to inform about the dangers of digital restriction management (DRM).
En savoir plus2005
EC's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft
In order to strengthen a culture of interoperability between devices in EU member states, the FSFE files an application to intervene in this important case".
En savoir plusEuropean Parliament votes against Software Patents
After an intense campaign by the FSFE and other organisations, the European Parliament rejects the Software Patent initiative.
En savoir plusKarlsruhe Memorandum against Software Patents
Nearly 40 organisations and over 220 individuals took a stand against the Software Patents directive before its second reading in the European Parliament.
En savoir plusThe Fellowship of the FSFE
European Free Software advocates can now become fellows by supporting the FSFE. As fellows, they can also use the FSFE's infrastructure to promote and spread our vision as volunteers."
En savoir plus2004
European Interoperability Framework
The European Interoperability Framework (EIF) is a set of interoperability guidelines with a pan-European scope. The FSFE critically observes its evolution and the influence of lobby groups for proprietary software vendors.
En savoir plusAction week against Software patents
To inform citizens, economists and politicians about the harmful consequences of the Software Patent initiative, the FSFE organized panel discussions and several demonstrations.
En savoir plusOpen Standards definition
The FSFE contributes to redefine the Open Standards definition, which will be adopted by many organisations and companies in Europe.
En savoir plus2003
Education Task Force created
To improve the access to Free Software in education, the Education Task Force was funded by volunteers of the FSFE. The members are experts in this topic.
En savoir plus2001-2002
"We speak about Free Software" campaign
The FSFE explains the advantage of using the term "Free Software" instead of "Open Source". Several companies and Bruce Perens supported the campaign.
En savoir plusFoundation of the FSFE
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is founded as a sister organisation of the FSF, with Georg C. F. Greve becoming the first president.
En savoir plus