The FSFE promotes freedom of software, hardware, and data
The ZOOOM (3Os) Initiative promotes innovation based on freedom of software, hardware, and data. With its recent conclusion, the FSFE hopes to inspire broader use and effective application of Free Software by business, academia, and the public sector.
Free Software, Open Data and Open Hardware are essential building blocks for a sustainable and trustworthy industrial and commercial ecosystem. Nevertheless, business, academia, and the public sector sometimes lack important fundamental understandings of these topics, and as a result many industries often develop systemic problems by matching business models with inappropriate licensing frameworks, or even without sufficient frameworks at all.
To help solve these problems, the FSFE became a partner of the ZOOOM Initiative (3Os – Open Source Software, Open Data, Open Hardware), that started in 2022. This European project funded by the European Commission aimed to build competence and raise awareness on the importance of proper management of these three open assets (Software, Hardware, and Data). The FSFE contributed specifically in the research and the development of educational materials on various topics related to Free Software, tailored for industrial and commercial needs. We are pleased to share the outcomes of our collaborative work with our ZOOOM partners over the past 2 years.
Innovative research involving open assets
Together with our ZOOOM consortium partners, we have conducted innovative research to understand commonalities and interactions on the issues faced when dealing collectively with Free Software, Open Hardware, and Open Data. The results have been documented in a report that assists stakeholders with understanding the 3Os and proposes strategies to align their business models with the complexities characterizing each of these open ecosystems.
To support this reporting, the FSFE also conducted extensive research and analysis on Free Software legal issues for business and innovation. As a result of this work, we have contributed to a review of legal cases on issues related to the 3Os, specifically on legal cases related to Free Software. Those interested in an overview of legal issues in open hardware and open data will also find this review useful.
Recommendations on Free Software AI licensing
Another significant outcome of this European project was the creation of a comprehensive paper on Free Software and openness in the area of artificial intelligence development. This paper examined the convergence of Free Software and AI focusing on the legal aspects of licensing
In the paper, we considered the necessity to promote openness in a manner that respects the principles of Free Software, especially in light of the various challenges in achieving such openness in AI licensing. In particular, we highlighted the uncoordinated growing proliferation of licenses claiming to be “free and open source” in the AI scene, but that actually impose extra limitations on software freedom and that may lead to license incompatibility.
To improve the situation, we proposed three important recommendations:
- Preserving openness in AI by safeguarding the Four Freedoms of Free Software;
- Keeping licensing of AI technologies cohesive and interoperable with Free Software licenses;
- Encouraging engagement with civil society actors in initiatives aimed to make AI more open, accessible, transparent, and auditable.
The drafting of these papers with our ZOOOM consortium partners has also enabled us to raise awareness among the academic community about the importance of Free Software and open concepts, as they relate to software, hardware, and data.
Development of training materials
In addition to these research activities, we contributed to the development of training materials intended for any organisation – private or public – to equip users with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate Free Software, open hardware, and open data. The training toolkit can be especially useful for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Europe with the necessary skills to adopt strategies and evaluate business modules that relate to open technologies.
Successful outreach in Europe for Free Software
The ZOOOM project also engaged in an extensive awareness campaign to promote our work, and general awareness of the principles of Free Software, Open Hardware, and Open Data. As part of this campaign, more than 40 events were organised. The FSFE spoke at various conferences and events across Europe, including at FOSDEM 2024, DORS/CLUC 2024, and SFSCon 2022
Additionally, the ZOOOM consortium organized exclusive meetups and events involving a broad range of stakeholders (academia, public sector and business), to further promote Free Software in Ljubljana, Trento, and Brussels.
Sustainability goal: open science
In only two years, the ZOOOM project produced comprehensive research merging aspects of Free Software, Open Data and Open Hardware. Focusing on the importance of these assets for the future of AI, the initiative not only produced scientific materials tackling legal and business issues regarding Free Software, but also developed a series of recommendations. The next steps are to deploy further the material produced, engaging with organisations and individuals interested in reusing and developing further the materials.
If you are interested in knowing more about the wealth of knowledge produced by ZOOOM, feel free to reach out!