[Fsf-friends] Legal Affairs Wing

[Ramanraj K]

  I propose we create a Legal Affairs Wing to discuss, research and 
solve legal issues involving the use of Free Software.  Pressing issues 
should receive the highest priority, but we cannot afford to lose sight 
of the fact that GNU Freedom could become the mother of *all* our 
Freedoms. Law reform and the task of reducing law to code would be the 
main work of the Legal Affairs Wing. Modern legal systems need to use 
free software.  

Often, people imagine legal applications to be "vertical" but on the 
contrary, nothing could be more "horizontal".  Law is the common 
background for *all* of us.    Making the law available as free software 
code would make free software more ubiquitous in society.

Today's editorial in the Hindu, includes an opinion on "Making 
Government Intelligent" that is available online at : 
 http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/21/stories/2005032101751000.htm .  We need 
to act quickly.  Free software is based on the philosophy of love, 
sharing, and freedom, and the same social colloboration is needed to 
reduce the law to code to achieve success.  Many entities have "business 
rules" written in antiquated languages based on non-free software, and 
the lack of availability of equivalent or better free software code is 
cited as main reason justifying use of non-free software. Our involvment 
in a constructive way is necessary to bring about an important change.  

The Legal Affairs Wing (LAW) should have two clear divisions, (1) "FSF 
LAW", dealing with matters involving issues directly concerning FSF 
India, such as gpl violations, and very specific issues concerning use 
of free software, and (2) "GNU LAW" dealing with the law in general.

Please make room for GNU LAW - it will change our lives for the better :)

Regards,
Ramanraj.