--- pgp/doc/politic.doc 2018/04/24 16:41:31 1.1.1.3 +++ pgp/doc/politic.doc 2018/04/24 16:42:47 1.1.1.4 @@ -1,483 +1,483 @@ -Computer-Related Political Groups -================================= - -This document is included in the PGP software release package. PGP -is "Pretty Good Privacy", a public-key encryption program from Philip -Zimmermann. - -PGP is a very political piece of software. It seems appropriate to -mention here some computer-related activist groups that are concerned -with issues such as impacts of computers on society, algorithm -patents, etc. Here is some information on these groups, provided by -each group. - - - -The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) ----------------------------------------- - -Last Updated: 14 June 1993 - -The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was founded in July, 1990, -to assure freedom of expression in digital media, with a particular -emphasis on applying the principles embodied in the Constitution and -the Bill of Rights to computer-based communication. - -From the beginning, EFF was determined to become an organization that -would combine technical, legal and public policy expertise, and would -apply these skills to the myriad issues and concerns that arise -whenever a new communications medium is born. - -By remaining faithful to this initial vision, EFF has become an -organized voice for the burgeoning community of nationally and inter- -nationally networked computer users. We perform the multiple roles of -guardian, advocate and innovator, to serve and protect the public -interest in the information age. - - -GOALS OF THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION, 1993 - -EFF's mission is to understand the opportunities and challenges of -digital communications, in order to foster openness, individual -freedom and community. We expect to carry out our mission through -activities in the following areas: - -POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY. EFF has been working to -promote an open architecture for telecommunications by various -means, including the Open Platform Initiative, the fight against the -FBI's Digital Telephony wiretap proposal, and efforts to free robust -encryption technologies from NSA control. - -FOSTERING COMMUNITY. Much of the work we have done has been directed -at fostering a sense of community in the online world. Because we -realize that we know far less about the conditions conducive to the -formation of virtual communities than is necessary to be effective in -creating them, we will devote a large portion of our R & D resources -to developing better understanding in this area. - -LEGAL SERVICES. EFF was born to defend the rights of computer users -against overzealous and uninformed law enforcement officials. This -continues to be an important focus of EFF's work. We provide legal -information to individuals who request it and support for attorneys -who are litigating. We maintain print and online legal archives, -disseminate this information, and make it available for downloading. -Our board and staff are continuously engaged in writing and speaking -about these issues. - -RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT. We have started many projects over the years -as their need became apparent. Going forward, EFF will allocate -resources to investigate and initiate new projects. To ensure that -our projects have the greatest impact and can reasonably be completed -with the resources available, EFF will sharpen its selection and -review process. - - -MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION - -If you support our goals and our work, you can show that support by -becoming a member now. Members receive our bi-weekly electronic -newsletter, EFFector Online (if you have an electronic address that -can be reached through the Net), answers to your legal questions, -special releases and other notices on our activities. (Because we -believe that support should be freely given, you can receive these -things even if you do not elect to become a member.) Your membership -dues and other donations are fully tax deductible. - -OUR ADDRESSES - -Electronic Frontier Foundation -1001 G St., NW -Suite 950 East -Washington, DC 20001 -+1 202 347 5400 -+1 202 393 5509 FAX -Internet: eff@eff.org - -MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION -============================================================= -Print out and mail to: -Membership Coordinator -Electronic Frontier Foundation -1001 G St., NW, Suite 950 East, Washington, DC 20001 - -I wish to become a member of EFF. I enclose: $_______ -$20.00 (student or low income membership) $40.00 (regular membership) - -Name: -Organization: -Address: -City or Town: -State: Zip: Phone (optional): ( ) -FAX (optional): ( ) -Email address: - -I enclose a check [ ]. -Please charge my membership in the amount of $________ to my -Mastercard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express [ ] -Number: -Expiration date: -Signature: ________________________________________________ -Date: - -Our privacy policy: The Electronic Frontier Foundation will never sell -any part of our membership list. We will, from time to time, share -this list with other nonprofit organizations whose work we determine -to be in line with our goals. However, you must explicitly grant us -permission to share your name with these other groups. Member privacy -is our default. - -I hereby grant permission to EFF to share my name with other -nonprofit groups from time to time as it deems appropriate. -[ ] Initials:___________________________ - - - -Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility ------------------------------------------------- - -CPSR empowers computer professionals and computer users to advocate -for the responsible use of information technology and empowers all -who use computer technology to participate in the public debate. As -technical experts, CPSR members provide the public and policymakers -with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and limitations of -computer technology. As an organization of concerned citizens, CPSR -directs public attention to critical choices concerning the -applications of computing and how those choices affect society. - -By matching unimpeachable technical information with policy -development savvy, CPSR uses minimum dollars to have maximum impact -and encourages broad public participation in the shaping of -technology policy. - -Every project we undertake is based on five principles: - -* We foster and support public discussion of and public - responsibility for decisions involving the use of computers in - systems critical to society. - -* We work to dispel popular myths about the infallibility of - technological systems. - -* We challenge the assumption that technology alone can solve - political and social problems. - -* We critically examine social and technical issues within - the computer profession, nationally and internationally. - -* We encourage the use of computer technology to improve the - quality of life. - - -Founded in 1981 by a small group of computer scientists concerned -about the use of computers in nuclear weapons systems, CPSR has grown -into a national public-interest alliance of computer industry -professionals dedicated to examining the impact of technology on -society. - -Currently, CPSR has 21 chapters in the U.S. and affiliations with -similar groups worldwide. In addition to our National Office in Palo -Alto, CPSR maintains offices in Washington D.C. and Cambridge, -Massachusetts. - - -CPSR PROJECTS - -As computer technology becomes increasingly pervasive, the issues -facing us become more complex. CPSR provides a forum where we can -examine technology's impact on our lives, the lives of our fellow -citizens, and on society as a whole. By sponsoring both national and -local projects, CPSR serves as a catalyst for in-depth discussion and -effective action in key areas: - - Civil Liberties and Privacy - - The 21st Century Project: Technology Policy and Human Needs - - Workplace Issues and Participatory Design - - Reliability and Risk - -In addition, CPSR's chapter-based projects and national working -groups tackle issues ranging from the development of nanotechnology -and virtual reality to computing and ethics to community computing to -computers and education. - - -HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER - -CPSR is a democratically organized grass roots alliance. Our -accomplishments are the result of the member activism. Many CPSR -members serve as national organizers - -Just fill out the membership form, enclose a check and mail it to -CPSR, P.O. Box 717, Palo Alto, CA 94301. - -CPSR's cost to provide members with services is covered by the $75 -dues. To keep CPSR membership open to a wide range of people, we -offer dues levels of $20 and $50. - - -MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS - -When you become a member of CPSR, you are joining a nationwide -network of computer professionals who are committed to bringing -social responsibility to all aspects of computer technology. CPSR -sponsors, supports, and participates in conferences, roundtables and -meetings on advanced issues in computing, local civic networks, -cryptography, participatory design, and computers and social change. - -Every fall the CPSR Annual Meeting brings together the foremost -representatives of the technology industry to explore current topics -in seminars and panel discussions. Our conferences and chapter -meetings provide important opportunities to meet other members and -share ideas and expertise. - -OTHER MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE: - -* a quarterly newsletter which provides in-depth analysis of key - issues in computing as well as updates on CPSR activities and - action alerts, - -* an organized voice for socially responsible computing in - Washington, - -* well-researched public testimony and public policy development, - -* invitations and discounts to CPSR events, - -* discounts on research papers, books, and educational videotapes, - -* on-line information and discussion of key issues in computing, - -* membership in a local CPSR chapter (where available) and notices - of chapter meetings and activities, - -* participation in local and national working groups which allow you - to have effective impact on the issues you care about, - -* information and referral about crucial issues in computing. - - -ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION - - CPSR National Office - P.O. Box 717 - Palo Alto, CA 94301 - 415-322-3778 - 415-322-3798 (FAX) - E-mail: cpsr@csli.stanford.edu - - CPSR Cambridge Office - P.O. Box 962 - Cambridge, MA 02142 - 617-625-6985 - chapman@lcs.mit.edu - - CPSR Washington Office - 666 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Suite 303 - Washington, D.C. 20003 - 202-544-9240 - 202-547-5481 FAX - rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org - -Staff - Managing Director, Evelyn Pine - Assistant to the Director, Nikki Draper - Cambridge Office Director, Gary Chapman - Washington Office Director, Marc Rotenberg - - -PRIVACY NOTICE: The CPSR membership database is never sold, rented, -lent, exchanged, or used for anything other than official CPSR -activity. CPSR may elect to send members mailings with information -from other groups, but the mailings will always originate with CPSR. - - -====================== clip and mail ========================== - -CPSR MEMBERSHIP FORM - -Name _________________________________________________________ - -Address _________________________________________________________ - - _________________________________________________________ - -City/State/Zip __________________________________________________ - -Home phone ____________________ Work phone _____________________ - -Company _________________________________________________________ - -Type of work ____________________________________________________ - -E-mail address __________________________________________________ - -CPSR Chapter - __ Acadiana __ Austin __ Berkeley - __ Boston __ Chicago __ Denver/Boulder - __ Los Angeles __ Madison __ Maine - __ Milwaukee __ Minnesota __ New Haven - __ New York __ Palo Alto __ Philadelphia - __ Pittsburgh __ Portland __ San Diego - __ Santa Cruz __ Seattle __ Washington, DC - __ No chapter in my area - -CPSR Membership Categories - __ $ 75 REGULAR MEMBER - __ $ 50 Basic member - __ $ 200 Supporting member - __ $ 500 Sponsoring member - __ $1000 Lifetime member - __ $ 20 Student/low income member - - __ $ 50 Foreign subscriber - __ $ 50 Library/institutional subscriber - - -Additional tax-deductible contribution to support CPSR projects: - __ $50 __ $75 __ $100 __ $250 - __ $500 __ $1000 __ Other - - -Total Enclosed: $ ________ - -Make check out to CPSR and mail to: - CPSR - P.O. Box 717 - Palo Alto, CA 94301 - --- - - - -The League for Programming Freedom ----------------------------------- - - - Protect Your Freedom to Write Programs - Join the League for Programming Freedom - (Version of January 15, 1993) - -Ten years ago, programmers were allowed to write programs using all -the techniques they knew, and providing whatever features they felt -were useful. This is no longer the case. New monopolies, known as -software patents and interface copyrights, have taken away our -freedom of expression and our ability to do a good job. - -"Look and feel" lawsuits attempt to monopolize well-known command -languages; some have succeeded. Copyrights on command languages -enforce gratuitous incompatibility, close opportunities for -competition, and stifle incremental improvements. - -Software patents are even more dangerous; they make every design -decision in the development of a program carry a risk of a lawsuit, -with draconian pretrial seizure. It is difficult and expensive to -find out whether the techniques you consider using are patented; it -is impossible to find out whether they will be patented in the -future. - -The League for Programming Freedom is a grass-roots organization of -professors, students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to -bringing back the freedom to write programs. The League is not -opposed to the legal system that Congress intended--copyright on -individual programs. Our aim is to reverse the recent changes made -by judges in response to special interests, often explicitly -rejecting the public interest principles of the Constitution. - -The League works to abolish the new monopolies by publishing -articles, talking with public officials, boycotting egregious -offenders, and in the future may intervene in court cases. On May -24, 1989, the League picketed Lotus headquarters on account of their -lawsuits, and then again on August 2, 1990. These marches stimulated -widespread media coverage for the issue. We welcome suggestions for -other activities, as well as help in carrying them out. - -Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for programmers, -managers and professionals; $10.50 for students; $21 for others. -Please give more if you can. The League's funds will be used for -filing briefs; for printing handouts, buttons and signs; whatever -will persuade the courts, the legislators, and the people. You may -not get anything personally for your dues--except for the freedom to -write programs. The League is a non-profit corporation, but not -considered a tax-exempt charity. However, for those self-employed in -software, the dues can be a business expense. - -The League needs both activist members and members who only pay their -dues. We also greatly need additional corporate members; contact us -for information. - -If you have any questions, please write to the League, phone -(617) 433-7071, or send Internet mail to lpf@uunet.uu.net - - Jack Larsen, President - Dean Anderson, Secretary - Steve Sisak, Treasurer - -Jack Larsen can be contacted at (708) 698-1160; Fax (708) 698-6221. - -To join, please send a check and the following information to: - - League for Programming Freedom - 1 Kendall Square #143 - P.O.Box 9171 - Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 - -(Outside the US, please send a check in US dollars on a bank having a -US correspondant bank, to save us check cashing fees.) - -Your name: - - -The address for League mailings, a few each year; please indicate -whether it is your home address or your work address: - - - -The company you work for, and your position: - - -Your phone numbers (home, work or both): - - -Your email address, so we can contact you for demonstrations or for -writing letters. (If you don't want us to contact you for these -things, please say so, but please give us your email address anyway -so we can save paper and postage by sending you the newsletter by -email.) - - -Is there anything about you which would enable your endorsement of -the LPF to impress the public? For example, if you are or have been -a professor or an executive, or have written software that has a good -reputation, please tell us. - - -Would you like to help with LPF activities? - - -The corporate charter of the League for Programming Freedom states: - - The purpose of the corporation is to engage in the following - activities: - - 1. To determine the existence of, and warn the public about - restrictions and monopolies on classes of computer programs where such - monopolies prevent or restrict the right to develop certain types of - computer programs. - - 2. To develop countermeasures and initiatives, in the public interest, - effective to block or otherwise prevent or restrain such monopolistic - activities including education, research, publications, public - assembly, legislative testimony, and intervention in court proceedings - involving public interest issues (as a friend of the court). - - 3. To engage in any business or other activity in service of and - related to the foregoing paragraphs that lawfully may be carried on - by a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts - General Laws. - -The officers and directors of the League will be elected annually by -the members. - - +Computer-Related Political Groups +================================= + +This document is included in the PGP software release package. PGP +is "Pretty Good Privacy", a public-key encryption program from Philip +Zimmermann. + +PGP is a very political piece of software. It seems appropriate to +mention here some computer-related activist groups that are concerned +with issues such as impacts of computers on society, algorithm +patents, etc. Here is some information on these groups, provided by +each group. + + + +The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) +---------------------------------------- + +Last Updated: 14 June 1993 + +The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was founded in July, 1990, +to assure freedom of expression in digital media, with a particular +emphasis on applying the principles embodied in the Constitution and +the Bill of Rights to computer-based communication. + +From the beginning, EFF was determined to become an organization that +would combine technical, legal and public policy expertise, and would +apply these skills to the myriad issues and concerns that arise +whenever a new communications medium is born. + +By remaining faithful to this initial vision, EFF has become an +organized voice for the burgeoning community of nationally and inter- +nationally networked computer users. We perform the multiple roles of +guardian, advocate and innovator, to serve and protect the public +interest in the information age. + + +GOALS OF THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION, 1993 + +EFF's mission is to understand the opportunities and challenges of +digital communications, in order to foster openness, individual +freedom and community. We expect to carry out our mission through +activities in the following areas: + +POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY. EFF has been working to +promote an open architecture for telecommunications by various +means, including the Open Platform Initiative, the fight against the +FBI's Digital Telephony wiretap proposal, and efforts to free robust +encryption technologies from NSA control. + +FOSTERING COMMUNITY. Much of the work we have done has been directed +at fostering a sense of community in the online world. Because we +realize that we know far less about the conditions conducive to the +formation of virtual communities than is necessary to be effective in +creating them, we will devote a large portion of our R & D resources +to developing better understanding in this area. + +LEGAL SERVICES. EFF was born to defend the rights of computer users +against overzealous and uninformed law enforcement officials. This +continues to be an important focus of EFF's work. We provide legal +information to individuals who request it and support for attorneys +who are litigating. We maintain print and online legal archives, +disseminate this information, and make it available for downloading. +Our board and staff are continuously engaged in writing and speaking +about these issues. + +RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT. We have started many projects over the years +as their need became apparent. Going forward, EFF will allocate +resources to investigate and initiate new projects. To ensure that +our projects have the greatest impact and can reasonably be completed +with the resources available, EFF will sharpen its selection and +review process. + + +MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION + +If you support our goals and our work, you can show that support by +becoming a member now. Members receive our bi-weekly electronic +newsletter, EFFector Online (if you have an electronic address that +can be reached through the Net), answers to your legal questions, +special releases and other notices on our activities. (Because we +believe that support should be freely given, you can receive these +things even if you do not elect to become a member.) Your membership +dues and other donations are fully tax deductible. + +OUR ADDRESSES + +Electronic Frontier Foundation +1001 G St., NW +Suite 950 East +Washington, DC 20001 ++1 202 347 5400 ++1 202 393 5509 FAX +Internet: eff@eff.org + +MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION +============================================================= +Print out and mail to: +Membership Coordinator +Electronic Frontier Foundation +1001 G St., NW, Suite 950 East, Washington, DC 20001 + +I wish to become a member of EFF. I enclose: $_______ +$20.00 (student or low income membership) $40.00 (regular membership) + +Name: +Organization: +Address: +City or Town: +State: Zip: Phone (optional): ( ) +FAX (optional): ( ) +Email address: + +I enclose a check [ ]. +Please charge my membership in the amount of $________ to my +Mastercard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express [ ] +Number: +Expiration date: +Signature: ________________________________________________ +Date: + +Our privacy policy: The Electronic Frontier Foundation will never sell +any part of our membership list. We will, from time to time, share +this list with other nonprofit organizations whose work we determine +to be in line with our goals. However, you must explicitly grant us +permission to share your name with these other groups. Member privacy +is our default. + +I hereby grant permission to EFF to share my name with other +nonprofit groups from time to time as it deems appropriate. +[ ] Initials:___________________________ + + + +Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility +------------------------------------------------ + +CPSR empowers computer professionals and computer users to advocate +for the responsible use of information technology and empowers all +who use computer technology to participate in the public debate. As +technical experts, CPSR members provide the public and policymakers +with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and limitations of +computer technology. As an organization of concerned citizens, CPSR +directs public attention to critical choices concerning the +applications of computing and how those choices affect society. + +By matching unimpeachable technical information with policy +development savvy, CPSR uses minimum dollars to have maximum impact +and encourages broad public participation in the shaping of +technology policy. + +Every project we undertake is based on five principles: + +* We foster and support public discussion of and public + responsibility for decisions involving the use of computers in + systems critical to society. + +* We work to dispel popular myths about the infallibility of + technological systems. + +* We challenge the assumption that technology alone can solve + political and social problems. + +* We critically examine social and technical issues within + the computer profession, nationally and internationally. + +* We encourage the use of computer technology to improve the + quality of life. + + +Founded in 1981 by a small group of computer scientists concerned +about the use of computers in nuclear weapons systems, CPSR has grown +into a national public-interest alliance of computer industry +professionals dedicated to examining the impact of technology on +society. + +Currently, CPSR has 21 chapters in the U.S. and affiliations with +similar groups worldwide. In addition to our National Office in Palo +Alto, CPSR maintains offices in Washington D.C. and Cambridge, +Massachusetts. + + +CPSR PROJECTS + +As computer technology becomes increasingly pervasive, the issues +facing us become more complex. CPSR provides a forum where we can +examine technology's impact on our lives, the lives of our fellow +citizens, and on society as a whole. By sponsoring both national and +local projects, CPSR serves as a catalyst for in-depth discussion and +effective action in key areas: + + Civil Liberties and Privacy + + The 21st Century Project: Technology Policy and Human Needs + + Workplace Issues and Participatory Design + + Reliability and Risk + +In addition, CPSR's chapter-based projects and national working +groups tackle issues ranging from the development of nanotechnology +and virtual reality to computing and ethics to community computing to +computers and education. + + +HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER + +CPSR is a democratically organized grass roots alliance. Our +accomplishments are the result of the member activism. Many CPSR +members serve as national organizers + +Just fill out the membership form, enclose a check and mail it to +CPSR, P.O. Box 717, Palo Alto, CA 94301. + +CPSR's cost to provide members with services is covered by the $75 +dues. To keep CPSR membership open to a wide range of people, we +offer dues levels of $20 and $50. + + +MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS + +When you become a member of CPSR, you are joining a nationwide +network of computer professionals who are committed to bringing +social responsibility to all aspects of computer technology. CPSR +sponsors, supports, and participates in conferences, roundtables and +meetings on advanced issues in computing, local civic networks, +cryptography, participatory design, and computers and social change. + +Every fall the CPSR Annual Meeting brings together the foremost +representatives of the technology industry to explore current topics +in seminars and panel discussions. Our conferences and chapter +meetings provide important opportunities to meet other members and +share ideas and expertise. + +OTHER MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE: + +* a quarterly newsletter which provides in-depth analysis of key + issues in computing as well as updates on CPSR activities and + action alerts, + +* an organized voice for socially responsible computing in + Washington, + +* well-researched public testimony and public policy development, + +* invitations and discounts to CPSR events, + +* discounts on research papers, books, and educational videotapes, + +* on-line information and discussion of key issues in computing, + +* membership in a local CPSR chapter (where available) and notices + of chapter meetings and activities, + +* participation in local and national working groups which allow you + to have effective impact on the issues you care about, + +* information and referral about crucial issues in computing. + + +ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION + + CPSR National Office + P.O. Box 717 + Palo Alto, CA 94301 + 415-322-3778 + 415-322-3798 (FAX) + E-mail: cpsr@csli.stanford.edu + + CPSR Cambridge Office + P.O. Box 962 + Cambridge, MA 02142 + 617-625-6985 + chapman@lcs.mit.edu + + CPSR Washington Office + 666 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Suite 303 + Washington, D.C. 20003 + 202-544-9240 + 202-547-5481 FAX + rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org + +Staff + Managing Director, Evelyn Pine + Assistant to the Director, Nikki Draper + Cambridge Office Director, Gary Chapman + Washington Office Director, Marc Rotenberg + + +PRIVACY NOTICE: The CPSR membership database is never sold, rented, +lent, exchanged, or used for anything other than official CPSR +activity. CPSR may elect to send members mailings with information +from other groups, but the mailings will always originate with CPSR. + + +====================== clip and mail ========================== + +CPSR MEMBERSHIP FORM + +Name _________________________________________________________ + +Address _________________________________________________________ + + _________________________________________________________ + +City/State/Zip __________________________________________________ + +Home phone ____________________ Work phone _____________________ + +Company _________________________________________________________ + +Type of work ____________________________________________________ + +E-mail address __________________________________________________ + +CPSR Chapter + __ Acadiana __ Austin __ Berkeley + __ Boston __ Chicago __ Denver/Boulder + __ Los Angeles __ Madison __ Maine + __ Milwaukee __ Minnesota __ New Haven + __ New York __ Palo Alto __ Philadelphia + __ Pittsburgh __ Portland __ San Diego + __ Santa Cruz __ Seattle __ Washington, DC + __ No chapter in my area + +CPSR Membership Categories + __ $ 75 REGULAR MEMBER + __ $ 50 Basic member + __ $ 200 Supporting member + __ $ 500 Sponsoring member + __ $1000 Lifetime member + __ $ 20 Student/low income member + + __ $ 50 Foreign subscriber + __ $ 50 Library/institutional subscriber + + +Additional tax-deductible contribution to support CPSR projects: + __ $50 __ $75 __ $100 __ $250 + __ $500 __ $1000 __ Other + + +Total Enclosed: $ ________ + +Make check out to CPSR and mail to: + CPSR + P.O. Box 717 + Palo Alto, CA 94301 + +-- + + + +The League for Programming Freedom +---------------------------------- + + + Protect Your Freedom to Write Programs + Join the League for Programming Freedom + (Version of January 15, 1993) + +Ten years ago, programmers were allowed to write programs using all +the techniques they knew, and providing whatever features they felt +were useful. This is no longer the case. New monopolies, known as +software patents and interface copyrights, have taken away our +freedom of expression and our ability to do a good job. + +"Look and feel" lawsuits attempt to monopolize well-known command +languages; some have succeeded. Copyrights on command languages +enforce gratuitous incompatibility, close opportunities for +competition, and stifle incremental improvements. + +Software patents are even more dangerous; they make every design +decision in the development of a program carry a risk of a lawsuit, +with draconian pretrial seizure. It is difficult and expensive to +find out whether the techniques you consider using are patented; it +is impossible to find out whether they will be patented in the +future. + +The League for Programming Freedom is a grass-roots organization of +professors, students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to +bringing back the freedom to write programs. The League is not +opposed to the legal system that Congress intended--copyright on +individual programs. Our aim is to reverse the recent changes made +by judges in response to special interests, often explicitly +rejecting the public interest principles of the Constitution. + +The League works to abolish the new monopolies by publishing +articles, talking with public officials, boycotting egregious +offenders, and in the future may intervene in court cases. On May +24, 1989, the League picketed Lotus headquarters on account of their +lawsuits, and then again on August 2, 1990. These marches stimulated +widespread media coverage for the issue. We welcome suggestions for +other activities, as well as help in carrying them out. + +Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for programmers, +managers and professionals; $10.50 for students; $21 for others. +Please give more if you can. The League's funds will be used for +filing briefs; for printing handouts, buttons and signs; whatever +will persuade the courts, the legislators, and the people. You may +not get anything personally for your dues--except for the freedom to +write programs. The League is a non-profit corporation, but not +considered a tax-exempt charity. However, for those self-employed in +software, the dues can be a business expense. + +The League needs both activist members and members who only pay their +dues. We also greatly need additional corporate members; contact us +for information. + +If you have any questions, please write to the League, phone +(617) 433-7071, or send Internet mail to lpf@uunet.uu.net + + Jack Larsen, President + Dean Anderson, Secretary + Steve Sisak, Treasurer + +Jack Larsen can be contacted at (708) 698-1160; Fax (708) 698-6221. + +To join, please send a check and the following information to: + + League for Programming Freedom + 1 Kendall Square #143 + P.O.Box 9171 + Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 + +(Outside the US, please send a check in US dollars on a bank having a +US correspondant bank, to save us check cashing fees.) + +Your name: + + +The address for League mailings, a few each year; please indicate +whether it is your home address or your work address: + + + +The company you work for, and your position: + + +Your phone numbers (home, work or both): + + +Your email address, so we can contact you for demonstrations or for +writing letters. (If you don't want us to contact you for these +things, please say so, but please give us your email address anyway +so we can save paper and postage by sending you the newsletter by +email.) + + +Is there anything about you which would enable your endorsement of +the LPF to impress the public? For example, if you are or have been +a professor or an executive, or have written software that has a good +reputation, please tell us. + + +Would you like to help with LPF activities? + + +The corporate charter of the League for Programming Freedom states: + + The purpose of the corporation is to engage in the following + activities: + + 1. To determine the existence of, and warn the public about + restrictions and monopolies on classes of computer programs where such + monopolies prevent or restrict the right to develop certain types of + computer programs. + + 2. To develop countermeasures and initiatives, in the public interest, + effective to block or otherwise prevent or restrain such monopolistic + activities including education, research, publications, public + assembly, legislative testimony, and intervention in court proceedings + involving public interest issues (as a friend of the court). + + 3. To engage in any business or other activity in service of and + related to the foregoing paragraphs that lawfully may be carried on + by a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts + General Laws. + +The officers and directors of the League will be elected annually by +the members. + +