[OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

[Landon Blake]

O.K. Jody. I didn't realize others were already working on this.

I've already bored some people on this list with my thoughts on the
OSGeo scope. The main benefit that I get from the OSGeo is a place to
communicate with other professionals that are advocates of GIS. What I'd
like to see OSGeo do more of in the future:

- Ease the process of "open sourcing" a GIS program for commercial
companies or government entities. I'd especially like to see the
promotion of FOSS GIS in government. It seems to be a logical fit. I
think this will be difficult in the United States, because ESRI is
strongly entrenched in government, and money talks a big talk in our
political system. Still, I think we can fight this battle by creating
useful tools that fill gaps in the ESRI GIS production chain. I think we
can also fill it by targeting small government agencies that can't
afford pricier ESRI offerings. One advantage we have over ESRI software
is that the stuff sure is expensive. :] I think the OSGeo labs might be
a step in the correct direction.

- Creation of educational content that focuses on open source software.
People still with what they learn in school, and having educational
material structured around open source software would be one way to
introduce future mapping professionals to open source early on. It also
works great for cash-strapped educational programs. I think we are
already moving this direction with some effort on the Free GIS Book.

- Coordinate more cooperation between the different FOSS GIS players. I
know that this has been difficult on the Java side of things. It seems
like we get started on some efforts at collaboration, but they slowly
fizzle out. I'm not really sure how the OSGeo might be able to help, but
I'm open to ideas.

- More engagement with our largest sponsor, Autodesk. They are a huge
player in many ways, especially in the survey, engineering, and land
development arenas. What could the OSGeo do to foster a more active
relationship with them?

Landon

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Jody Garnett
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 10:50 AM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
Support

Not quite yet Landon; Jo was kind enough to contact someone with a few 
questions already (I cannot remember which organization but their seems 
to be several). Adrian Custer was also in contact with some FSF types.

Until the board decides on the scope of its activities I do  not want to

trouble people further; suffice to say it looks like there are 
organizations around willing to help a non profit such as OSGeo out.

The real question is what scope do you want the Foundation to have?
Jody

Landon Blake wrote:
>
> I have a contact at the Freedom Law Center. If no one here objects I 
> could send an e-mail inquiring about legal services or advice for the 
> OSGeo.
>
>  
>
> Landon
>
>  
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org 
> [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of 
> *Bruce.Bannerman at dpi.vic.gov.au
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:27 PM
> *To:* OSGeo Discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo 
> Legal Support
>
>  
>
>
> IMO
>
>
> Good call Cameron.
>
>
> In this day and age it would pay to be proactive on these types of 
> issues.
>
>
> It's been a while since I last looked at this.
>
> From memory, a number of large companies have pledged resources to 
> help defend FOSS. I'm not sure where this is at currently.
>
> I think that its with the Linux Foundation - 
>  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Linux_Foundation (formed in 2007 
> from The Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group).
>
> You may also want to look at the Software Freedom Law Centre founded 
> by Eben Moglen. I understand that they provide pro-bono legal services

> to protect and advance Free and Open Source Software:
>
> http://www.softwarefreedom.org/technology/
>
>
>
> Bruce
>  
>
>
>
> *Cameron Shorter <cameron.shorter at gmail.com>*
> Sent by: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
>
> 31/10/07 09:30 AM
>
> Please respond to
> OSGeo Discussions <discuss at lists.osgeo.org>
>
> 	
>
> To
>
> 	
>
> OSGeo Discussions <discuss at lists.osgeo.org>
>
> cc
>
> 	
>
>  
>
> Subject
>
> 	
>
> Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support
>
>  
>
>  
>
> 	
>
>  
>
>
>
>
> Good processes + no money is an acceptable strategy so long as we have
> consciously made this decision and everyone is aware of the strategy.
>
> Allan Doyle wrote:
> >
> > On Oct 30, 2007, at 15:09 , Michael P. Gerlek wrote:
> >
> >> Way back on that cold day in Chicago, I'm not sure anyone ever
really
> >> thought about what it would mean when we said we'd "offer legal
> >> protection".
> >>
> >> Does it imply/lead-to/entail some sort of indemnification?  Ouch,
that
> >> would be pricey...  How does the Apache gang, et al, handle this?
> >
> > My recollection is that the Apache gang carefully keeps their
coffers
> > empty and makes sure the code all legally belongs to the Apache
> > Foundation. Thus there's not enough of a pot of gold to win in a
suit.
> >
> > However, I'm guessing that this strategy depends on a pretty
> > well-defined process to ensure there are no loopholes.
> >
> >     Allan
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> -mpg
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
> >>> [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Landon Blake
> >>> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:56 AM
> >>> To: OSGeo Discussions
> >>> Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of
> >>> OSGeo Legal Support
> >>>
> >>> Cameron,
> >>>
> >>> I think this is an excellent idea, and a lawyer should definitely
be
> >>> consulted. I wonder if the legal staff at the Software Freedom
> >>> Conservancy could assist.
> >>>
> >>> Landon
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
> >>> [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Cameron
Shorter
> >>> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 3:56 AM
> >>> To: OSGeo-Board
> >>> Cc: OSGeo Discussions; Adrian Custer
> >>> Subject: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
> >>> Support
> >>>
> >>> OSGeo Board, (CC to OSGeo Discuss),
> >>>
> >>> During the founding of OSGeo, it was often noted that OSGeo
projects
> >>> would benefit from OSGeo legal protection. Now, as Geotools
wrestles
> >>> with graduation criteria and how to handle license assignment, the
> >>> nature and level of legal protection offered by OSGeo is
> >>> unclear. Also
> >>> unclear is the level of legal review available (as tested by
Geotools
> >>> crafting of a Copywrite Assignment document).
> >>> Consequently, geotools is having difficulty deciding whether
> >>> it is wise
> >>> to assign copywrite to OSGeo.
> >>>
> >>> I suspect a large part of the problem is that board members (like
> >>> myself) are not lawyers and don't have a clear understanding of
the
> >>> options, the value of each of the options to OSGeo and the
> >>> projects (how
> >>> much protection is given), and the cost both in time and
financially.
> >>> Key questions to answer for each option are:
> >>> * What level of support is given to contributors and license
reviewers
> >>> (individuals and companies)
> >>> * What level of support is given to OSGeo users?
> >>> * What level of support is given to projects? Will OSGeo
> >>> fight a license
> >>> infringer on behalf of a project?
> >>> * What level of support is given to the OSGeo Foundation?
> >>>
> >>> *Proposal*
> >>> That the board makes a clear statement on their website about
> >>> nature and
> >>> level of support offered by OSGeo to OSGeo projects and
Individuals.
> >>> This statement needs to be backed up with a budget item addressing
> >>> financial implications related to the statement.
> >>>
> >>> Implementation:
> >>> I suggest the steps to achieve the above would be:
> >>> 1. Board approves budget to have a lawyer, or volunteer with legal
> >>> review, to draw up a list of options and their financial
> >>> implications.
> >>> Adrian Custer's review provides an excellent basis for a
> >>> lawyer to start
> >>>
> >>> from.
http://docs.codehaus.org/display/GEOTOOLS/Geotools+Legal+Review
> >>> 2. Board votes to select best option.
> >>> 3. OSGeo financial sponsors are given opportunity to contribute to
> >>> decision.
> >>> 4. OSGeo budgets for decision
> >>> 5. OSGeo records the legal stance publicly (on a webpage).
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Cameron Shorter
> >>> Geospatial Systems Architect
> >>> Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
> >>> Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254
> >>>
> >>> Think Globally, Fix Locally
> >>> Commercial Support for Geospatial Open Source Software
> >>> http://www.lisasoft.com/LISAsoft/SupportedProducts.html
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Discuss mailing list
> >>> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> >>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Warning:
> >>> Information provided via electronic media is not guaranteed
> >>> against defects including translation and transmission
> >>> errors. If the reader is not the intended recipient, you are
> >>> hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or
> >>> copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
> >>> have received this information in error, please notify the
> >>> sender immediately.
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Discuss mailing list
> >>> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> >>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >>>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Discuss mailing list
> >> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> >> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> >
>
>
> -- 
> Cameron Shorter
> Geospatial Systems Architect
> Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
> Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254
>
> Think Globally, Fix Locally
> Commercial Support for Geospatial Open Source Software
> http://www.lisasoft.com/LISAsoft/SupportedProducts.html
>
>
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