Free Software Pact
From Free Software Pact
ehABzdD
[edit] Detailed analysis
« FREE SOFTWARE PACT
Protecting and developing a common.
Title and sub-title.
« I am a candidate in the 2009 European elections
Gives a precision about the context and to whom the Pact is proposed.
« I am aware that
Announces the first part: acknowledging what Free Software is and why it should be protected and developed.
« The work of Free Software actors plays a role in the preservation of essential freedom in the digital era, the sharing of knowledge and the bridging of the "digital gap". It is also an opportunity for the general public, for our technological independence and competitiveness, in [country] and in Europe;
This part is about why candidates sould be interested in Free Software. This is mainly where you can adapt the Pact if you think that the original version does not fit your context. However some ideas seem more important:
- The work of Free Software actors = the reality of Free Software is that people work to create it, may they be main developers, editors, or any type of contributers, volunteers or professionals. It is important to embrace the diversity of people who take part to Free Software projects.
- plays a role in the preservation of essential freedoms in the digital era = Free Software is not the ultimate answer to
the great question of life, the universe, and everythingthe creation or preservation of essential freedoms, but thanks to the 4 freedoms, it is a substantial part of it as long as the information society is concerned. The term "preservation" is to be adapted according to your political context and the message you wish to convey. roulette en ligne - sharing of knowledge = the sharing of knowledge is a fundamental social aspect of Free Software. The opposite would be obscurantism.
- the "digital gap" theme may not be pertinent in all contexts, so feel free to adapt.
- an opportunity for the general public = Free Software is not dedicated to the happy few, it is meant to benefit each and everyone.
- technological independence and competitiveness = concerns political and economic issues.
- in [country] and in Europe = this pact concerns your candidate as a possible representative of both your country and the EU.
« Free Software is a "common", to be protected and developed. Its existence relies upon the right for an author to release their software along with the source code, and to grant everyone the right to use, copy, adapt and redistribute it, in its original or in a modified form.
This part is about the fundamentals of Free Software. It is not subject to modifications.
- Free Software is a "common", to be protected and developed. = results from the elements listed above.
- Its existence relies upon the right for an author... = there cannot be any Free Software if the authors' right to use a Free Software license is denied.
« I therefore undertake to
Announces the commitment. As the candidates sign as possible future MEPs, and commit themselves within their parliamentary attributions, the original version does not precise anything else. However, you may add a sentence such as "use all institutional means to" if you think it is necessary.
« Encourage all administrations, all public or local services to prefer Free Software and open standards in their choices, purchases and own developments;
- This embraces all the publicly ruled organisations, including education, research... any precision would weaken the impact of the Pact on all the other sectors.
- EU and national levels are not written because they are induced.
« Support active policies in favour of Free Software, and oppose any discrimination against it;
This includes for example innovation policies (incentives, research programmes...).
« Stand up for Free Software authors' and users' rights, especially by requiring the modification of any legal text currently weakening those rights, and opposing any legal project that would lead to such consequences. »
This last point is probably the most important one: it is when the candidates commit themselves to oppose threats such as software patents.
In order to be strong together, it is important that we get the same commitment from all candidates in all the EU countries.
Words in italic indicate strong ideas that should be part of any translation of the Pact - ideas which you should keep but may adapt.
These arguments are meant to reach any candidate to an electoral mandate, whatever their country and their party may be, because Free Software is a common with many advantadges that can content anyone.
However these parts may be adapted as long as the strong ideas (in more or less indentical terms) are part of the adaptation.
Download the Free Software Pact:
- EN: ODT, PDF
- FR: ODT, PDF
