What are the objectives of the Free Software Pact?

The Free Software Pact is a simple document with which candidates can inform the voting public that they favor the development and use of Free Software, and will protect it from possible threatening EU legislation. The Free Software Pact is also a tool for citizens who value Free Software to educate candidates about the importance of Free Software and why they should, if elected, protect the European Free Software community.

Have a few minutes to help us?

We're looking for people to help us translate/proofread the Pact into all EU languages, as well as proofreaders, and people willing to spread the word. A wiki page lists all the things you can do to help. You can also contact us by email contact (a) freesoftwarepact.eu .

The website will be available in other languages soon. We are looking for translators, please contact us (contact (a) freesoftwarepact.eu) if you want to help.

What is the history of the Free Software Pact?

Since 2007, French association April has sensitized candidates to political elections about Free Software related issues through the Candidats.fr initiative. The Candidats.fr initiative was part of all presidential, legislative and local elections since 2007, asking them to sign the "Pacte du Logiciel Libre" (Free Software Pact).

In 2009, April, Associazione per il software libero, Hispalinux and volunteers joined their forces for the first Free Software Pact campaign for the European elections. In 2009, 231 candidates signed the Pact and 44 signatories were elected.

The campaign also inspired other initiatives: the Free Software Pledge by FACIL in Quebec, was based on Candidats.fr and has been running since 2008. Likewise, Caro Candidato was launched in Italy and Candidats.be in Belgium in the last few years for local and national elections.