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Dear Free Software Supporter,

My name is Krzysztof Siewicz, but you may call me Kris. I have
recently joined the [Licensing and Compliance Lab,][2] as the Free
Software Foundation's (FSF) new licensing and compliance manager. I am
excited to work for a community that is so thoughtful about the impact
free software has on our lives and so devoted to empowering everyone
to be able to control their computing. At the FSF, we have always
believed in educating users about the essential [freedoms to run,
copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software][1], and I'm
looking forward to contributing to that role in my capacity.

[1]: [link removed]

I received a doctoral degree in law, conferred upon me by Leiden
University, The Netherlands, for a thesis about protecting software
freedom. I practiced law in Poland, advocated for Internet freedom,
and taught in the area of free software licensing. My past clients and
employers include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), as well as
educational, academic, and cultural institutions in the EU. In that
work, I often received positive feedback for my efforts in explaining
complex legal issues in a simple way. My experience also includes
coordination of software development.

Since October, I have been fully engaged with the FSF's Licensing and
Compliance Lab, specifically by participating in answering licensing
questions from the public, evaluating entries in the [Free Software
Directory (FSD)][3], investigating [GNU General Public License (GPL)
violations][4], and upholding the GPL. This is only the beginning, and
I can't wait to tackle the Lab's other important activities.

[2]: [link removed]
[3]: [link removed]
[4]: [link removed]

With a fully staffed licensing team and Lab, the FSF has been able to
more actively defend free software, for example against contradictory
terms added to GNU licenses. Terms that are contradictory to the
freedoms promised by GNU licenses were never intended by us; they
abuse our good name and the faith the user puts in us. An example of
these terms are restrictive clauses to prohibit commercial activity
added in a way that contradicts both the letter *and* the spirit of
our licenses. If they are added to [version 3 of the GPL or GNU Affero
General Public License (GNU AGPL)][5], users can remove them from the
license. This right to remove those terms is granted to users in
Section 7 of those licenses. The FSF enforces this. We also do not
allow the use of our copyright in the GPL, nor the GNU and FSF
trademarks, for making nonfree software. You can read more about this
activity in our recent [blog post on protecting free software against
confusing additional restrictions][6]. I can already see that reacting
to contradictory terms will be expensive work, because it requires
contacting each licensor, clarifying the misunderstanding, and
initiating legal procedures in case of any confirmed failures to
observe the terms of the GPL or the FSF's rights. The more effective
our fundraising efforts, the more such actions we can take.

[5]: [link removed]
[6]: [link removed]

Another big part of the licensing and compliance team's work is
answering licensing questions, which we continue to get in great
numbers, from the public. We do this with the help of our licensing
volunteers. Some of them have helped in building our licensing answers
database for more than a decade now. And the Lab is, of course, also
processing copyright assignments for software packages to ensure that
the FSF can have a legal standing when defending their freedom. My
closest teammate Craig Topham, the FSF's copyright & licensing
associate, has tremendous experience in this area. Thanks to his hard
work, we had an 11% increase in copyright assignments in the 2023
financial year. Although some packages don't require them anymore, for
those that do, copyright assignments are increasing overall.

I enjoy working with different requestors. I recently had the
opportunity to explain the benefits of free software licensing to a
team working on an embedded device that was using free software
libraries in their work. To another requestor we explained in detail
the differences between distributing modifications to programs subject
to the GPL under compatible licenses and the obligation to release the
whole combination under the GPL. The turnaround on our licensing queue
shows that we cannot rest assured that publishing static educational
materials alone suffices. We have to also be available to provide
answers, and we have to use what we learn from our requestors to
update the [public FAQ][7] and other publications.

[7]: [link removed]

Sticking to the theme of this year-end appeal, yet another example of
our work with a great educational focus, is the [Free Software
Directory (FSD)][3], listing nearly 17,000 free software packages, all
reviewed individually by staff, together with the help of dedicated
volunteers. Anyone interested may learn about the FSD criteria, submit
a package for review, and obtain feedback from the Directory's
team. Every week, we host a three-hour IRC meeting at #fsf on
Libera.Chat. Whether you are a user who's unsure about whether a
particular package is truly free software or a developer wishing to
double-check that the software you develop is free, this is certainly
the place to learn more.

[3]: [link removed]

**By supporting us today, you help secure a free future.** If every
reader of this email supports our efforts by [ensuring a
contribution][8], we can direct more resources towards defending free
software and the GPL, reviewing more packages submitted to the FSD,
and responding to licensing queries from the community. Or, you can
advocate for user freedom by convincing just one person to [join the
FSF][14]. Plus, your contribution will count towards achieving our
[fall goal][9] of $375,000 before December 31.

[8]: [link removed]
[14]: [link removed]
[9]: [link removed]

I am full of enthusiasm about my work for the community. I'm also
grateful and honored to be able to work in a friendly and supportive
working atmosphere here at the FSF, where everyone is always ready to
share invaluable insight and guidance. With such wonderful people
around, and with your continued support, I am looking forward, with a
lot of optimism, to working towards a world in which software freedom
is fully protected.

Sincerely,

Krzysztof Siewicz,
Licensing & Compliance Manager

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