NLnet continues to support FSFE's Freedom Task Force

FSFE's Freedom Task Force was launched in November 2006 to help support individuals, projects and businesses with Free Software licensing. The initial phase of the FTF was possible thanks to support by the Netherlands based philanthropic organisation NLnet foundation. NLnet's support allowed the FTF to provide training, consultancy and to work in partnership with gpl-violations.org to resolve licence issues in the European area. The FTF also formed networks of technical and legal experts to foster cooperation between lawyers, projects and businesses with licensing concerns. Now, after just over twelve months of continual growth, NLnet is providing a second round of financial support to this innovative legal project.

"The next twelve months are going to be pretty exciting for the FTF and for Free Software in general," says Shane Coughlan, FTF Coordinator. "The European anti-trust case against Microsoft was recently completed, the amount of Free Software savvy lawyers is increasing and Free Software adoption is rapidly rising. Free Software is no longer an alternative. It's mainstream." The FTF will play a part in ensuring that this mainstream technology is as simple to use and distribute as possible. We will continue to produce knowledge, to train people, to connect people and to resolve issues that occur. Thanks to NLnet I believe the FTF will be in a position to help lead European Free Software licensing best practice."

"We consider the user-friendly legal framework behind the development of Free Software to be one of the core assets, and a strong driver of constant innovation," states Michiel Leenaars, strategy manager at NLnet. "But as with any fine print it takes some work to understand the opportunities. The Freedom Task Force is creating awareness and building a network of expertise across Europe".

Today the FTF's legal and technical networks cover sixteen European countries, have over seventy members and include contacts from the USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan. The FTF delivers training courses in Switzerland in cooperation with Digicomp, in Sweden with Internet Academy and in The Netherlands with ATComputing. We have identified an area of the Free Software community that needed further development and we are determined to ensure that Europe has excellent licensing knowledge available to the widest possible audience," says Shane Coughlan. "I'm confident that the FTF will continue to deliver high quality assistance to both non-commercial and commercial stakeholders."

With NLnet's support, the FTF will continue to expand the European Legal and Technical Networks to cover the entire EU and to help individuals, projects and businesses understand Free Software licensing. The FTF's current training courses will be expanded and delivered in Germany, Italy and the UK.

"This is only the beginning," concludes Shane Coughlan, FTF Coordinator.

The Freedom Task Force can be found at https://fsfe.org/ftf/
The Freedom Task Force can be emailed at contact@fsfe.org

About the Free Software Foundation Europe:

The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a non-profit non-governmental organisation active in many European countries and involved in many global activities. Access to software determines participation in a digital society. To secure equal participation in the information age, as well as freedom of competition, the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) pursues and is dedicated to the furthering of Free Software, defined by the freedoms to use, study, modify and copy. Founded in 2001, creating awareness for these issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues of the FSFE.

Contact:

You can reach the FSFE switchboard from:
Belgium: +32 2 747 03 57 ext 408
Germany: +49 700 373 38 76 73 ext 408
Sweden: +46 31 7802160 ext 408
Switzerland: +41 43 500 03 66 ext 408
UK: +44 29 200 08 17 7 ext 408

Shane Coughlan, FTF Coordinator, FSFE extension: 408

Joachim Jakobs, Media Relations, FSFE extension: 404
mobile: +49-179-6919565

Further information: https://fsfe.org