LLW 2025, “unperfect” discussions around Free Software in a legal environment
The Free Software Legal & Licensing Workshop convened once again, this time in Essen, bringing together over 100 legal and compliance professionals, technologists, and policy experts from across the globe. The 2025 edition delved into the evolving legal landscapes impacting Free Software, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity.
The FSFE’s Free Software Legal & Licensing Workshop (LLW), is a a two and a half day conference for members of the Legal Network community to meet face-to-face and share legal expertise. Once again, this conference emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative environment where professionals can share insights, debate complex issues, and build a cohesive understanding of the legal landscape affecting Free Software.
Set in the creative and collaborative atmosphere of Unperfekthaus, a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Essen (Germany), participants engaged in in-depth discussions on current topics in the Free Software sphere. These conversations extended beyond traditional legal and licensing concerns to include the broader policy landscape, where emerging regulations increasingly shape the way Free Software is developed, distributed, and maintained.
For instance, the intersection between law and policy proved especially relevant in sessions addressing pressing issues such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the licensing of AI technologies.
Participants discussed the impact of interoperability policies imposed by large corporations like Apple on smaller Free Software developers and how this relates to the litigation efforts conducted by the FSFE.
With the CRA being one of the most impactful laws on Free Software these days, there were also several discussions dedicated to understanding compliance,legal enforcement, and further policy development of the law.
Topics concerning export control, licensing for hardware and software, tools for compliance automation and community governance were also debated in detail.
AI remains a topic of interest, and the participants engaged in discussion related to the definition of Free Software AI, the relevance of data for licensing, as well as challenges for the enforcement of the AI Act.
Continuing its commitment to nurturing emerging legal talent, this year the LLW also organized a mentorship program, which started with a breakfast meetup before the official kick off of the conference, so that experienced legal professionals acting as mentors were able to meet with newcomers to the industry and the conference in an informal environment, before the talks stated. The mentorship program is aimed at new members of the Legal Network.
Feedback from attendees was positive, with many highlighting the value of face-to-face interactions and the depth of knowledge shared during the sessions. One participant noted, "The LLW remains an unparalleled forum for tackling the pressing legal questions of our time in the Free Software domain."
The FSFE extends its gratitude to all participants and sponsors, whose support made LLW 2025 possible: Red Hat, Amazon, Microsoft, Siemens Bosch, Ericsson, GitHub, Intel, Eclipse Foundation Heuking, Liferay, Open Invention Network, and The Linux Foundation.
The Legal Network
The Legal Network is a neutral, non-partisan group of experts in different fields involved in Free Software legal issues. Currently the Legal Network has over 400 participants from different legal systems, academic backgrounds and affiliations.
The aim of the Legal Network is to promote discussion and foster better knowledge of the legal constructs that back Free Software. The conversations on the Legal Network are intended to be dynamic, thought-provoking, and up to speed with the most recent developments.
The Legal Network serves as an open platform to promote legal knowledge about Free Software so that companies can make strategic decisions about Free Software development based on an understanding of how Free Software licensing and other related legal issues work. This allows Free Software developers and legal professionals who work within larger companies to continue to contribute to software freedom.
Admission to the Legal Network is restricted, and the discussions held there are confidential. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the content of the mailing list is contained away from the larger Free Software community. The Chatham House Rule applies to all discussions on the Legal Network mailing list and at Legal Network events, which enables members to use the information received, but not to reveal the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker or any of the participants involved in the discussion.