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Dear Free Software Supporter,

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve a community where
sharing is at the core of its purpose. It's amazing that we can
duplicate software so quickly -- just a few taps on a keyboard or
clicks of a mouse -- to such great benefit. In the free software
community, there are other elements that can be spread just as easily
as computer source code. One of them is knowledge. From helping
someone use free software to spreading the understanding of free
software, knowledge comes in all shapes and sizes. This includes
sharing knowledge of the [GNU General Public Licenses (GPL)][1] and
free software licensing more generally.

[1]: [link removed]

As the copyright and licensing associate at the Free Software
Foundation (FSF), one of my tasks is to coordinate with licensing
volunteers of the [Licensing and Compliance Lab][2]. As a part of the
Lab, the licensing volunteers help the FSF share free software
licensing knowledge. We do this together through the combined decades
of experience and the plethora of licensing materials available on
[fsf.org][3] and [gnu.org][4]. However, the world we live in
constantly generates new curiosities and areas to explore, inevitably
leaving people with new questions. When this happens, the Licensing
and Compliance Lab is here to provide answers. Your support will help
us continue to do so heading into the future. As free software
licensing is a complex subject, we're proud to provide this service to
free software developers and other members of the community.

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

Much like free software, knowledge requires someone to have it first
in order to distribute it. When it comes to free software licensing
knowledge, the licensing volunteers have it in abundance. Although a
small group, they have answered over 1,300 questions sent in by those
hoping to better understand how the family of GNU licenses work since
the pandemic started in March 2020. I can honestly say that this work
would have been impossible without the licensing volunteers.

So who are these dedicated volunteers? It's programmer and paralegal
[Yoni Rabkin][5], attorney and software developer [Paulius
Galubickas][6], radio-engineer and longstanding GNU volunteer
[Ineiev][7], software engineer and mathematician [Yuchen Pei][8], and
legal engineer and administrator of the [End Software Patents wiki][9]
[Panos Alevropoulos][10].

[5]: [link removed]
[6]: [link removed]
[7]: [link removed]
[8]: [link removed]
[9]: [link removed]
[10]: [link removed]

Now that you know who we are and what we do, let's explore the more
reciprocal benefits of sharing knowledge. The Lab fields a wide
variety of questions. Some questions have already been answered and
are listed on our [Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU
Licenses][11] page, with over 160 entries. However, we frequently get
new questions which call on the collective knowledge of the Lab. These
questions are often pushing at the boundaries of what is at play in
the free software world. It is these questions which also provide us
with special value; by receiving feedback and questions on real-world
interactions with free software and the GPLs, it enables the FSF to
keep up with the ever-adjusting free software landscape. When a
question is novel, a review process starts that involves collaborative
research from the volunteers and staff, sometimes leading to a new
entry in the FAQ being created. These questions help challenge us, the
Licensing and Compliance Lab, to find answers to unique questions
brought to us by the questioner, and the answer ultimately helps
everyone.

[11]: [link removed]

Another reciprocal benefit comes from the activity of answering a
licensing question. The work done by licensing volunteers not only
helps free software developers and others use a GNU license with more
confidence. It also exercises staff and volunteers' knowledge and
understanding of free software licensing, much like a "licensing for
free software fitness gym" for the mind. With every request, the Lab
leaves the transaction a little more knowledgeable than when we went
in. When we share questions, research, and knowledge this way with one
another, everybody wins.

I am overflowing with gratitude and I am honored to have been working
with such gifted and generous volunteers for over four years now. I
look forward to the future as we all grow together and share the
knowledge we have with each other.

**Can you join the effort to support the FSF in sharing their
knowledge and answering your requests as an [FSF associate
member][16]?** You can start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for
students), or $120 per year. With your support, the FSF can continue
to provide resources for the Licensing and Compliance Lab to support
the community. Besides that, your membership gives strength to the
*idea* of free software and to the GNU GPL. Plus, your membership will
count towards achieving our goal of 455 new associate members before
January 20, and you will be eligible for this year's snazzy and secure
webcam cover when you join as an annual associate member at $120 or
more. You'll also be able to enjoy all the [member benefits][15],
which include merchandise discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card,
and use of our associate member videoconferencing server.

[16]: [link removed]
[15]: [link removed]

The Licensing and Compliance Lab is eager to answer your questions.

If you can't find what you need on [fsf.org][17] or [gnu.org][18],
just email <[email protected]>.

[17]: [link removed]
[18]: [link removed]

In freedom,

Craig Topham,
Copyright & Licensing Associate

--
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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

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