Publications - Software Freedom Law Center

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Publications - Software Freedom Law Center</title> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="The Software Freedom Law Center provides legal representation and other law related services to protect and advance Free and Open Source Software." /> <meta name="keywords" content="software, law, open source, gnu, GNU, Open Source, Free and Open Source, Free and Open Source Software, FOSS, protect, protection, help, policy, privacy, Eben, Eben Moglen, Lawrence, Lawrence Lessig, Moglen, Lessig, Dan, Daniel Ravicher, Diane, Diane M. Peters, Peters, Open Source Development Labs, OSDL, Free Software Foundation, FSF, Stanford Law School, Harvard Law School, Berkman Center, Berkman Center for Internet and Society, law services, law, Daniel J. Weitzner, W3C, World Wide Web Consortium, Center for Democracy and Technology, CDT, Public Patent Foundation, PPF, MIT, internet, internet public policy, public policy, Electronic Frontier Foundation, EFF, software patents, Linux Foundation, linux" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen, projection" href="../css/screen.css" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="../favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <script src="../js/jquery-1.4.3.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>  </head> <body> <header id="main" class="group"> <nav class="group"> <h1 id="logo"><a href="../"><img src="../img/frdm-logo.png" alt="The Software Freedom Law Center" /></a></h1> <ul class="group"> <li><a href="../services/"><strong>Services <em>How we help our clients</em></strong></a></li> <li><a href="../news/"><strong>News <em>What we're doing</em></strong></a></li> <li><a href="../resources/"><strong>Publications<em>What we've said</em></strong></a></li> <li><a href="../about/contact/"><strong>Contact<em>How to reach us</em></strong></a></li> <li class="last"><a href="../about/team/"><strong>People<em>The SFLC team</em></strong></a></li> </ul> </nav> </header> <hr /> <div id="content" class="group"> <div class="main"> <section id="featured-publications"> <header> <h1>Featured Publications</h1> </header>  <div id="auto_software" class="callout"> <h2 id="automotive-software-governance-and-copyleft">Automotive Software Governance and Copyleft</h2> <p>Whitepaper by Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical, Ltd., and Eben Moglen, Professor of Law at Columbia Law School and Founding Director of the Software Freedom Law Center.</p> <p>This whitepaper explains how a specific, existing form of FOSS software distribution, Ubuntu Core and “snap” technology, can achieve the goals of software governance, security and liability in modern automobiles.</p> <div> <em>Read or download:</em> <a href="2018/automotive-software-governance.pdf" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /></a> </div> </div> <p></p> <div id="linux_kernel_cddl" class="callout"> <h2 id="the-linux-kernel-cddl-and-related-issues">The Linux Kernel, CDDL and Related Issues</h2> <p>This document explains licensing issues as they relate to the Linux Kernel and CDDL-licensed code.</p> <div> <em>Read or download:</em> <a href="2016/linux-kernel-cddl.html" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /></a> </div> </div> <p></p> <div id="guide_2d_ed" class="callout"> <h2 id="sflcs-guide-to-gpl-compliance-2nd-edition">SFLC’s Guide to GPL Compliance<br /> 2nd Edition</h2> <p>How to read, understand, and comply with the provisions of the GNU GPL family of free software licenses, including a discussion of the relation of governance to compliance, and practical advice about responding to inquiries or compliance complaints from copyright holders.</p> <div> <em>Read or download:</em> <a href="2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.html" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /></a> <a href="2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.pdf" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /></a> <a href="2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.ps" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /></a> <a href="2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.epub" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/epub.png" alt="ePub" /></a> </div> </div> <p></p> <div id="primer" class="callout"> <h2 id="sflcs-legal-issues-primer">SFLC’s Legal Issues Primer</h2> <p>The Software Freedom Law Center publishes a <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html">primer</a> for free, libre, and open source software developers seeking to understand the legal implications of community development and distribution of software.</p> <div> <em>Jump to a section:</em> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html#x1-40002">Copyrights</a> · <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html#x1-390004">Patents</a> · <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html#x1-600005">Trademarks</a> · <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html#x1-190003">Ponprofits</a> </div> <div> <em>Get the whole primer:</em> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /></a> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.pdf" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /></a> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.ps" class="document_format"><img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /></a> </div> </div> <p></p> </section>  <section id="all-publications"> <header> <h1>All Publications</h1> </header> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> <a id="whitepapers">Whitepapers</a> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2018/automotive-software-governance.pdf">Automotive Software Governance and Copyleft</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Our purpose in writing this paper is to show how new capabilities in the free and open source software stack enable highly regulated and sensitive industrial concerns to take advantage of the full spectrum of modern copyleft software, including code under the GNU General Public License, version 3 (“GPLv3”), and to manage their obligations under those licenses in ways that are commercially sound.</p> <p>Few products encapsulate both the challenges and the possibilities in this area like the automobile. This whitepaper explains how a specific, existing form of FOSS software distribution, Ubuntu Core and “snap” technology, can achieve the goals of software governance, security and liability in modern cars.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2018-10-16" pubdate>October 16, 2018</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2018/automotive-software-governance.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2017/ancillary-rights.html">Free Software Distributions and Ancillary Rights</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Distributions of free software involve sharing of computer program, which is mostly governed by copyright law. Other legal rights, involving trademark, patent, trade dress protection, protection against unfair competition, and other legal doctrines are potentially involved as well. When hundreds or thousands of programs and associated files containing documentation or configuration data combined into “packages” are then aggregated into “distributions” such as Debian, Fedora, RHEL or Ubuntu, the significance of these related rights increases, and the complexity of their interaction does as well.</p> <p>Our practice at SFLC involves advising clients on the interaction of these rights and the difficulties that arise from their overlapping nature especially as they travel between non-commercial and commercial parties.</p> <p>We publish this document explaining the interaction of these peripheral rights for the benefit of the larger community in furtherance of our mission of spreading awareness about Free and Open Source Software.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2017-03-27" pubdate>March 27, 2017</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2017/ancillary-rights.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2017/ancillary-rights.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2016/linux-kernel-cddl.html">The Linux Kernel, CDDL and Related Issues</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>This document explains licensing issues as they relate to the Linux Kernel and CDDL-licensed code.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2016-02-26" pubdate>February 26, 2016</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2016/linux-kernel-cddl.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2015/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed_CN.html">软件自由法律中心 GPL 软件许可证合规指导<br /> <em>SFLC's Guide to GPL Compliance<br /> 2nd Edition, Chinese translation</em></a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>本文档解释了如何阅读、理解、并遵循GNU GPL 自由软件法律，包括有关法律授权的监管和对拥有版权者提供咨询和实用的建议。</p> <p>This is the official Chinese translation of SFLC’s Guide to GPL Compliance, 2nd Edition.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2015-08-03" pubdate>August 3, 2015</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2015/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed_CN.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2015/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed_CN.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.html">SFLC's Guide to GPL Compliance<br /> 2nd Edition</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>How to read, understand, and comply with the provisions of the GNU GPL family of free software licenses, including a discussion of the relation of governance to compliance, and practical advice about responding to inquiries or compliance complaints from copyright holders.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2014-10-31" pubdate>October 31, 2014</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/SFLC-Guide_to_GPL_Compliance_2d_ed.epub" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/epub.png" alt="ePub" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2012/ManagingCopyrightInformation.html">Managing Copyright Information within a Free Software Project</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>This document explains the purpose of license and copyright notices, the legal requirements behind them, and the current best practices for maintaining this information in a free software projects source distribution.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2012-09-17" pubdate>September 17, 2012</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2012/ManagingCopyrightInformation.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2012/ManagingCopyrightInformation.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2011/government-acquisition-and-gpl.pdf">Government Computer Software Acquisition and The GNU General Public License</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>This document, produced jointly by SFLC and members of the U.S. Navy involved in software acquisitions, discusses how the GPL can be successfully used within DFARS software acquisitions</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2011-10-01" pubdate>October 1, 2011</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2011/government-acquisition-and-gpl.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2011/debian-patent-policy-faq.html">Community Distribution Patent Policy FAQ</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>This document presents information about patents and patent liability useful for developers working on community distributions of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2011-07-04" pubdate>July 4, 2011</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2011/debian-patent-policy-faq.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2010/transparent-medical-devices.html">Killed by Code: Software Transparency in Implantable Medical Devices</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>The potentially fatal risk of source code defects in implantable medical devices and why patients, doctors, and the public should insist that free and open source software be the standard approach.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2010-07-21" pubdate>July 21, 2010</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2010/transparent-medical-devices.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2010/transparent-medical-devices.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2010/transparent-medical-devices.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2008/compliance-guide.html">A Practical Guide to GPL Compliance</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>How to comply effectively with the GNU General Public License (GPL) and related licenses.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2008-08-20" pubdate>August 20, 2008</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2008/compliance-guide.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/compliance-guide.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/compliance-guide.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/compliance-guide.tex" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_code.png" alt="TeX" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html">SFLC's Legal Issues Primer</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>The Software Freedom Law Center publishes a <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html">primer</a> for free, libre, and open source software developers seeking to understand the legal implications of community development and distribution of software.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2008-06-04" pubdate>June 4, 2008</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/foss-primer.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2008/shareware.html">Shareware Redistribution of FOSS Software</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>How and when commercial redistribution of FOSS violates common FOSS licenses, and development techniques to make enforcement easier.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2008-03-27" pubdate>March 27, 2008</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2008/shareware.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/shareware.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/shareware.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2007/gpl-non-gpl-collaboration.html">Maintaining Permissive-Licensed Files in a GPL-Licensed Project: Guidelines for Developers</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Ensuring compliance and enabling code-sharing when incorporating permissive-licensed code into a GPL codebase.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2007-09-27" pubdate>September 27, 2007</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2007/gpl-non-gpl-collaboration.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/gpl-non-gpl-collaboration.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/gpl-non-gpl-collaboration.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2007/fcc-sdr-whitepaper.html">FCC Rules on FOSS and Software-Defined Radio</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>New rules tentatively encourage the use of FOSS by SDR manufacturers.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2007-06-06" pubdate>June 6, 2007</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2007/fcc-sdr-whitepaper.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/fcc-sdr-whitepaper.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/fcc-sdr-whitepaper.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2006/Sarbanes-Oxley.html">Sarbanes-Oxley and the GPL: No Special Risk</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Sarbanes-Oxley does not increase risk for developers of GPL’d software.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2006-03-07" pubdate>March 7, 2006</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2006/Sarbanes-Oxley.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2006/Sarbanes-Oxley.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> <a id="opinion-letters">Opinion Letters</a> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2015/FCC-NPRM.pdf">Comments on FCC Rules Regulating End-User Software Modification</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s comments to the Federal Communications Commission regarding proposed revisions to FCC device authorization procedures.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2015-10-13" pubdate>October 13, 2015</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2015/FCC-NPRM.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2013/A_History_of_the_GPLv3_Revision_Process.pdf">A History of the GPLv3 Revision Process</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>This document explains the procedure for public drafting and discussion that surrounded the GPLv3 revision process in 2006-07.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2013-07-17" pubdate>July 17, 2013</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2013/A_History_of_the_GPLv3_Revision_Process.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2009/Oracle-Sun-EC-petition.pdf">Request to Appear at European Commission's Oracle/Hearing</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Eben Moglen’s request to appear before the European Commission regarding Oracle’s acquisition of Sun.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2009-12-04" pubdate>December 4, 2009</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2009/Oracle-Sun-EC-petition.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2009/Oracle-Sun-EC-opinion.pdf">Oracle/Sun EC Opinion</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Eben Moglen’s opinion to the European Commission on the competitive effects of the Oracle’s acquisition of Sun.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2009-11-19" pubdate>November 19, 2009</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2009/Oracle-Sun-EC-opinion.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2008/osp-gpl.html">Microsoft's Open Specification Promise: No Assurance for GPL</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>It is unsafe to rely upon the OSP for any free software implementation, whether under the GPL or another free software license.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2008-02-12" pubdate>February 12, 2008</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2008/osp-gpl.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2008/osp-gpl.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2007/originality-requirements.html">Originality Requirements under U.S. and E.U. Copyright Law</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>A discussion of the requirements for software to be considered within the scope of copyright under U.S. and E.U law.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2007-09-27" pubdate>September 27, 2007</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2007/originality-requirements.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/originality-requirements.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/originality-requirements.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2007/ath5k-code-analysis.html">Code Analysis of the Linux Wireless Team's ath5k Driver</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s conclusions regading the copyright status of the ath5k driver code.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2007-09-27" pubdate>September 27, 2007</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2007/ath5k-code-analysis.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/ath5k-code-analysis.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/ath5k-code-analysis.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2007/patent-tax.html">Windows vs. Linux: The Patent Tax</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>The hidden patent tax built into the license fees for Microsoft Windows.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2007-04-16" pubdate>April 16, 2007</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2007/patent-tax.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2007/patent-tax.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2006/OpenDocument.html">OpenDocument Opinion Letter</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>The OASIS ODF standard is free of legal encumbrances that would prevent its use in free and open source software.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2006-07-12" pubdate>July 12, 2006</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2006/OpenDocument.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2006/OpenDocument.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> <a id="case-resources">Case Resources</a> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-resources.html">Resource page: Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Background material and links regarding the Supreme Court case <em>Alice v. Kappos</em></p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2014-02-27" pubdate>February 27, 2014</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-resources.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2009/bilski-resources.html">Resource page: Bilski v. Kappos</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>Background material and links regarding the Supreme Court case <em>Bilski v. Kappos</em></p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2009-11-04" pubdate>November 4, 2009</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2009/bilski-resources.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> <a id="amicus-briefs">Amicus Briefs</a> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2020/SFLC-Amicus_Google-Oracle_18-956.pdf">Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc.</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court in <em>Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc.</em> arguing (1) that the Federal Circuit erred in reversing the District Court’s determination that a reasonable jury could find Google’s use of Java in Android was a fair use; (2) that the Supreme Court should ensure the Federal Circuit’s decision that APIs are copyrightable does not establish precedent; and (3) that the Federal Circuit is bound to follow the precedent of the regional courts of appeals on questions of copyright law.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2020-01-13" pubdate>January 13, 2020</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2020/SFLC-Amicus_Google-Oracle_18-956.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2016/samsung-apple-amicus.pdf">Samsung Electronics v. Apple Inc.</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court in <em>Samsung Electronics</em> v. <em>Apple Inc.</em> arguing that design patents are unconstitutional and that the total profits damages rule is therefore constitutionally infirm.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2016-06-08" pubdate>June 8, 2016</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2016/samsung-apple-amicus.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2014/google_v_oracle-sflc_cert_amicus.html">Google, Inc. v. Oracle America</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court in <em>Google, Inc. v. Oracle America</em>. SFLC and FSF take the position that the decision below is wrong, but that certiorari should not be granted for three reasons: (1) the decision of the Federal Circuit merely mispredicts what the Ninth Circuit would do if it had been the Court resolving Oracle’s appeal from the District Court’s finding that the application program interface declarations at issue are non-copyrightable; (2) the decision rests on narrow factual grounds; and (3) there is no public interest in continuing to adjudicate this dispute because Google can now and could have used all material at issue under the terms of the GNU GPL v2.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2014-12-08" pubdate>December 8, 2014</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2014/google_v_oracle-sflc_cert_amicus.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/google_v_oracle-sflc_cert_amicus.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/google_v_oracle-sflc_cert_amicus.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/google_v_oracle-sflc_cert_amicus.epub" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/epub.png" alt="ePub" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-sflc_amicus.html">Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court in <em>Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank</em> arguing that the “machine or transformation” inquiry employed by the Court in Bilski v. Kappos is the correct, and exclusive, bright line test for patent eligibility of computer-implemented inventions.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2014-02-27" pubdate>February 27, 2014</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-sflc_amicus.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-sflc_amicus.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-sflc_amicus.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2014/alice_v_cls-sflc_amicus.epub" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/epub.png" alt="ePub" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2010/sflc-seb-amicus.pdf">Global-Tech v. SEB</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court arguing against the Federal Circuit’s expansion of secondary liability for patent infringement.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2010-12-02" pubdate>December 2, 2010</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2010/sflc-seb-amicus.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2010/sflc-seb-amicus.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2009/bilski-amicus-brief.html">Bilski v. Kappos</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court arguing against extending patent coverage to abstract ideas embedded in software.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2009-10-02" pubdate>October 2, 2009</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2009/bilski-amicus-brief.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2009/bilski-amicus-brief.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2009/bilski-amicus-brief.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2009/jacobsen-amicus-brief.html">Jacobsen v. Katzer</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Federal Circuit arguing that FOSS developers should be able to enjoin infringing distributions of their software.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2009-06-15" pubdate>June 15, 2009</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2009/jacobsen-amicus-brief.html" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/html.png" alt="HTML" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2009/jacobsen-amicus-brief.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> <a href="../resources/2009/jacobsen-amicus-brief.ps" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_ps.png" alt="PostScript" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> <hr class="publication-divider" /> <article class="publication group"> <span class="publication-category"> </span> <div class="publication-info"> <h3><a href="../resources/2006/msvatt.pdf">Microsoft v. AT&T</a></h3> <div class="summary"> <p>SFLC’s <em>amicus</em> brief before the Supreme Court arguing that software can not be a component of a patented invention because software is not patentable subject matter.</p> </div> <ul class="publication-meta"> <li><time datetime="2006-12-15" pubdate>December 15, 2006</time></li> <li> <a href="../resources/2006/msvatt.pdf" class="document_format"> <img src="../img/icons/page_white_pdf.png" alt="PDF" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> </section>  <footer> <p>Unless otherwise indicated, all content licensed <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/legalcode">CC-BY-SA 3.0</a>. </p> <p><a href="../privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a> <span class="dot">·</span> <a href="../about/colophon/">Colophon</a></p> </footer> </div> <div class="secondary"> <div class="mod"> <header> <h1 id="index">Index</h1> </header> <ul class="index"> <li> <a href="#whitepapers">Whitepapers</a> </li> <li> <a href="#opinion-letters">Opinion Letters</a> </li> <li> <a href="#case-resources">Case Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="#amicus-briefs">Amicus Briefs</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mod alt"> <header> <h1><a>Search</a></h1> </header> <div id="search-wrap"> <form method="GET" id="search" action="https://duckduckgo.com/"> <input type="text" name="q" id="ddg-site-search" value placeholder="DuckDuckGo Site Search" /> <input type="hidden" name="sites" value="softwarefreedom.org" /> <input type="submit" id="ddg-search-button" value="Go" /> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </body> </html>

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