Re: [JPP-Devel] Free Software Conservancy

[Joe D. <jde...@gm...>]

The FSF I trust, so that's ok. I would have thought the main advantage
of incorporating as a non-profit is to be able to handle funds (ie
obtaining donations and hiring students for the summer etc).  I sure
hope the legal defence/offense aspect of things is never needed.

I think it would be useful to put a page on the Wiki explaining the
rational of this proposed move (the upsides and downsides).

Joe.

On 3/31/06, Sunburned Surveyor <sun...@gm...> wrote:
> Sorry Joe. Perhaps I should have explained this better.
>
> The Free Software Conservancy or FSC, is an "umbrella" non-profit that
> provides a mechanism for open source software projects to enjoy the
> benefits of a non-profit without the administrative hassles. The FSC
> is a single non-profit that represents the software projects within
> its umbrella.
>
> The main advantages for a project like the JPP is the legal protection
> that can be offered if we ever get attacked by a commercial GIS
> software development company, or if we want to pursue a company or
> group that violates the terms of our license and refuses to comply
> with those terms. It also allows us to "own" the rights to our
> trademarks and logos.
>
> The FSC is being set-up and run by the Free Software Foundation.
>
> I will try to answer any other questions, but if these answers aren't
> what you are looking for, then I can put you in touch with the lawyer
> from the FSF.
>
> I'm not trying to sneak this thing in, I just think it would be a
> prudent step for our project.
>
> The Sunburned Surveyor
>
> On 3/30/06, Joe Desbonnet <jde...@gm...> wrote:
> > Who are they? Is it part of the FSF?
> > Joe.
> >
> > On 3/31/06, Sunburned Surveyor <sun...@gm...> wrote:
> > > I've been in touch with one of the lawyers at the Free Software
> > > Conservancy. They are willing to accept both the SurveyOS Project and
> > > the JPP as opening members of the conservancy.
> > >
> > > As a reminder, the FSC would provide a vehicle to offer legal status
> > > for the JPP, as well as a measure of legal protection for those
> > > working on the project. The copyright transfer to the JPP will be
> > > optional, as requested by our developers.
> > >
> > > I have the agreements sent by the lawyer, and I welcome any active JP=
P
> > > developers to review them and offer their comments. If you wish to do
> > > so, reply to this message and request the copies. I will mail the
> > > copies to you directly. They are confidential documents, and I have
> > > been asked to keep them that way. They should not be posted to any of
> > > the mailing lists or any other public forums under any circumstances.
> > >
> > > I will not make a move on this until the end of next week, so that al=
l
> > > of the active developers have a chance to read the documents over and
> > > voice their concerns. It the members of the Developer Committee can't
> > > come to a unanimous agreement, then we'll hold a vote.
> > >
> > > The Sunburned Surveyor
> > >
> > >
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