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1.1 root 1: Computer-Related Political Groups
2: =================================
3:
4: This document is included in the PGP software release package. PGP
5: is "Pretty Good Privacy", a public-key encryption program from Philip
6: Zimmermann.
7:
8: PGP is a very political piece of software. It seems appropriate to
9: mention here some computer-related activist groups that are concerned
10: with issues such as impacts of computers on society, algorithm
11: patents, etc. Here is some information on these groups, provided by
12: each group.
13:
14:
15:
16: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
17: ----------------------------------------
18:
1.1.1.2 ! root 19: Last Updated: 14 June 1993
1.1 root 20:
21: The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was founded in July, 1990,
22: to assure freedom of expression in digital media, with a particular
23: emphasis on applying the principles embodied in the Constitution and
24: the Bill of Rights to computer-based communication.
25:
26: From the beginning, EFF was determined to become an organization that
27: would combine technical, legal and public policy expertise, and would
28: apply these skills to the myriad issues and concerns that arise
29: whenever a new communications medium is born.
30:
31: By remaining faithful to this initial vision, EFF has become an
32: organized voice for the burgeoning community of nationally and inter-
33: nationally networked computer users. We perform the multiple roles of
34: guardian, advocate and innovator, to serve and protect the public
35: interest in the information age.
36:
37:
38: GOALS OF THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION, 1993
39:
40: EFF's mission is to understand the opportunities and challenges of
41: digital communications, in order to foster openness, individual
42: freedom and community. We expect to carry out our mission through
43: activities in the following areas:
44:
45: POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY. EFF has been working to
46: promote an open architecture for telecommunications by various
47: means, including the Open Platform Initiative, the fight against the
48: FBI's Digital Telephony wiretap proposal, and efforts to free robust
49: encryption technologies from NSA control.
50:
51: FOSTERING COMMUNITY. Much of the work we have done has been directed
52: at fostering a sense of community in the online world. Because we
53: realize that we know far less about the conditions conducive to the
54: formation of virtual communities than is necessary to be effective in
55: creating them, we will devote a large portion of our R & D resources
56: to developing better understanding in this area.
57:
58: LEGAL SERVICES. EFF was born to defend the rights of computer users
59: against overzealous and uninformed law enforcement officials. This
60: continues to be an important focus of EFF's work. We provide legal
61: information to individuals who request it and support for attorneys
62: who are litigating. We maintain print and online legal archives,
63: disseminate this information, and make it available for downloading.
64: Our board and staff are continuously engaged in writing and speaking
65: about these issues.
66:
67: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT. We have started many projects over the years
68: as their need became apparent. Going forward, EFF will allocate
69: resources to investigate and initiate new projects. To ensure that
70: our projects have the greatest impact and can reasonably be completed
71: with the resources available, EFF will sharpen its selection and
72: review process.
73:
74:
75: MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION
76:
77: If you support our goals and our work, you can show that support by
78: becoming a member now. Members receive our bi-weekly electronic
79: newsletter, EFFector Online (if you have an electronic address that
80: can be reached through the Net), answers to your legal questions,
81: special releases and other notices on our activities. (Because we
82: believe that support should be freely given, you can receive these
83: things even if you do not elect to become a member.) Your membership
84: dues and other donations are fully tax deductible.
85:
1.1.1.2 ! root 86: OUR ADDRESSES
1.1 root 87:
1.1.1.2 ! root 88: Electronic Frontier Foundation
! 89: 1001 G St., NW
! 90: Suite 950 East
! 91: Washington, DC 20001
! 92: +1 202 347 5400
! 93: +1 202 393 5509 FAX
! 94: Internet: [email protected]
! 95:
! 96: MEMBERSHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION
! 97: =============================================================
! 98: Print out and mail to:
! 99: Membership Coordinator
! 100: Electronic Frontier Foundation
! 101: 1001 G St., NW, Suite 950 East, Washington, DC 20001
1.1 root 102:
103: I wish to become a member of EFF. I enclose: $_______
104: $20.00 (student or low income membership) $40.00 (regular membership)
105:
106: Name:
107: Organization:
108: Address:
109: City or Town:
110: State: Zip: Phone (optional): ( )
111: FAX (optional): ( )
112: Email address:
113:
114: I enclose a check [ ].
115: Please charge my membership in the amount of $________ to my
116: Mastercard [ ] Visa [ ] American Express [ ]
117: Number:
118: Expiration date:
119: Signature: ________________________________________________
120: Date:
121:
122: Our privacy policy: The Electronic Frontier Foundation will never sell
123: any part of our membership list. We will, from time to time, share
124: this list with other nonprofit organizations whose work we determine
125: to be in line with our goals. However, you must explicitly grant us
126: permission to share your name with these other groups. Member privacy
127: is our default.
128:
129: I hereby grant permission to EFF to share my name with other
130: nonprofit groups from time to time as it deems appropriate.
131: [ ] Initials:___________________________
132:
133:
134:
135: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
136: ------------------------------------------------
137:
138: CPSR empowers computer professionals and computer users to advocate
139: for the responsible use of information technology and empowers all
140: who use computer technology to participate in the public debate. As
141: technical experts, CPSR members provide the public and policymakers
142: with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and limitations of
143: computer technology. As an organization of concerned citizens, CPSR
144: directs public attention to critical choices concerning the
145: applications of computing and how those choices affect society.
146:
147: By matching unimpeachable technical information with policy
148: development savvy, CPSR uses minimum dollars to have maximum impact
149: and encourages broad public participation in the shaping of
150: technology policy.
151:
152: Every project we undertake is based on five principles:
153:
154: * We foster and support public discussion of and public
155: responsibility for decisions involving the use of computers in
156: systems critical to society.
157:
158: * We work to dispel popular myths about the infallibility of
159: technological systems.
160:
161: * We challenge the assumption that technology alone can solve
162: political and social problems.
163:
164: * We critically examine social and technical issues within
165: the computer profession, nationally and internationally.
166:
167: * We encourage the use of computer technology to improve the
168: quality of life.
169:
170:
171: Founded in 1981 by a small group of computer scientists concerned
172: about the use of computers in nuclear weapons systems, CPSR has grown
173: into a national public-interest alliance of computer industry
174: professionals dedicated to examining the impact of technology on
175: society.
176:
177: Currently, CPSR has 21 chapters in the U.S. and affiliations with
178: similar groups worldwide. In addition to our National Office in Palo
179: Alto, CPSR maintains offices in Washington D.C. and Cambridge,
180: Massachusetts.
181:
182:
183: CPSR PROJECTS
184:
185: As computer technology becomes increasingly pervasive, the issues
186: facing us become more complex. CPSR provides a forum where we can
187: examine technology's impact on our lives, the lives of our fellow
188: citizens, and on society as a whole. By sponsoring both national and
189: local projects, CPSR serves as a catalyst for in-depth discussion and
190: effective action in key areas:
191:
192: Civil Liberties and Privacy
193:
194: The 21st Century Project: Technology Policy and Human Needs
195:
196: Workplace Issues and Participatory Design
197:
198: Reliability and Risk
199:
200: In addition, CPSR's chapter-based projects and national working
201: groups tackle issues ranging from the development of nanotechnology
202: and virtual reality to computing and ethics to community computing to
203: computers and education.
204:
205:
206: HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
207:
208: CPSR is a democratically organized grass roots alliance. Our
209: accomplishments are the result of the member activism. Many CPSR
210: members serve as national organizers
211:
212: Just fill out the membership form, enclose a check and mail it to
213: CPSR, P.O. Box 717, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
214:
215: CPSR's cost to provide members with services is covered by the $75
216: dues. To keep CPSR membership open to a wide range of people, we
217: offer dues levels of $20 and $50.
218:
219:
220: MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
221:
222: When you become a member of CPSR, you are joining a nationwide
223: network of computer professionals who are committed to bringing
224: social responsibility to all aspects of computer technology. CPSR
225: sponsors, supports, and participates in conferences, roundtables and
226: meetings on advanced issues in computing, local civic networks,
227: cryptography, participatory design, and computers and social change.
228:
229: Every fall the CPSR Annual Meeting brings together the foremost
230: representatives of the technology industry to explore current topics
231: in seminars and panel discussions. Our conferences and chapter
232: meetings provide important opportunities to meet other members and
233: share ideas and expertise.
234:
235: OTHER MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE:
236:
237: * a quarterly newsletter which provides in-depth analysis of key
238: issues in computing as well as updates on CPSR activities and
239: action alerts,
240:
241: * an organized voice for socially responsible computing in
242: Washington,
243:
244: * well-researched public testimony and public policy development,
245:
246: * invitations and discounts to CPSR events,
247:
248: * discounts on research papers, books, and educational videotapes,
249:
250: * on-line information and discussion of key issues in computing,
251:
252: * membership in a local CPSR chapter (where available) and notices
253: of chapter meetings and activities,
254:
255: * participation in local and national working groups which allow you
256: to have effective impact on the issues you care about,
257:
258: * information and referral about crucial issues in computing.
259:
260:
261: ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
262:
263: CPSR National Office
264: P.O. Box 717
265: Palo Alto, CA 94301
266: 415-322-3778
267: 415-322-3798 (FAX)
268: E-mail: [email protected]
269:
270: CPSR Cambridge Office
271: P.O. Box 962
272: Cambridge, MA 02142
273: 617-625-6985
274: [email protected]
275:
276: CPSR Washington Office
277: 666 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Suite 303
278: Washington, D.C. 20003
279: 202-544-9240
280: 202-547-5481 FAX
281: [email protected]
282:
283: Staff
284: Managing Director, Evelyn Pine
285: Assistant to the Director, Nikki Draper
286: Cambridge Office Director, Gary Chapman
287: Washington Office Director, Marc Rotenberg
288:
289:
290: PRIVACY NOTICE: The CPSR membership database is never sold, rented,
291: lent, exchanged, or used for anything other than official CPSR
292: activity. CPSR may elect to send members mailings with information
293: from other groups, but the mailings will always originate with CPSR.
294:
295:
296: ====================== clip and mail ==========================
297:
298: CPSR MEMBERSHIP FORM
299:
300: Name _________________________________________________________
301:
302: Address _________________________________________________________
303:
304: _________________________________________________________
305:
306: City/State/Zip __________________________________________________
307:
308: Home phone ____________________ Work phone _____________________
309:
310: Company _________________________________________________________
311:
312: Type of work ____________________________________________________
313:
314: E-mail address __________________________________________________
315:
316: CPSR Chapter
317: __ Acadiana __ Austin __ Berkeley
318: __ Boston __ Chicago __ Denver/Boulder
319: __ Los Angeles __ Madison __ Maine
320: __ Milwaukee __ Minnesota __ New Haven
321: __ New York __ Palo Alto __ Philadelphia
322: __ Pittsburgh __ Portland __ San Diego
323: __ Santa Cruz __ Seattle __ Washington, DC
324: __ No chapter in my area
325:
326: CPSR Membership Categories
327: __ $ 75 REGULAR MEMBER
328: __ $ 50 Basic member
329: __ $ 200 Supporting member
330: __ $ 500 Sponsoring member
331: __ $1000 Lifetime member
332: __ $ 20 Student/low income member
333:
334: __ $ 50 Foreign subscriber
335: __ $ 50 Library/institutional subscriber
336:
337:
338: Additional tax-deductible contribution to support CPSR projects:
339: __ $50 __ $75 __ $100 __ $250
340: __ $500 __ $1000 __ Other
341:
342:
343: Total Enclosed: $ ________
344:
345: Make check out to CPSR and mail to:
346: CPSR
347: P.O. Box 717
348: Palo Alto, CA 94301
349:
350: --
351:
352:
1.1.1.2 ! root 353:
! 354: The League for Programming Freedom
! 355: ----------------------------------
! 356:
! 357:
! 358: Protect Your Freedom to Write Programs
! 359: Join the League for Programming Freedom
! 360: (Version of January 15, 1993)
! 361:
! 362: Ten years ago, programmers were allowed to write programs using all
! 363: the techniques they knew, and providing whatever features they felt
! 364: were useful. This is no longer the case. New monopolies, known as
! 365: software patents and interface copyrights, have taken away our
! 366: freedom of expression and our ability to do a good job.
! 367:
! 368: "Look and feel" lawsuits attempt to monopolize well-known command
! 369: languages; some have succeeded. Copyrights on command languages
! 370: enforce gratuitous incompatibility, close opportunities for
! 371: competition, and stifle incremental improvements.
! 372:
! 373: Software patents are even more dangerous; they make every design
! 374: decision in the development of a program carry a risk of a lawsuit,
! 375: with draconian pretrial seizure. It is difficult and expensive to
! 376: find out whether the techniques you consider using are patented; it
! 377: is impossible to find out whether they will be patented in the
! 378: future.
! 379:
! 380: The League for Programming Freedom is a grass-roots organization of
! 381: professors, students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to
! 382: bringing back the freedom to write programs. The League is not
! 383: opposed to the legal system that Congress intended--copyright on
! 384: individual programs. Our aim is to reverse the recent changes made
! 385: by judges in response to special interests, often explicitly
! 386: rejecting the public interest principles of the Constitution.
! 387:
! 388: The League works to abolish the new monopolies by publishing
! 389: articles, talking with public officials, boycotting egregious
! 390: offenders, and in the future may intervene in court cases. On May
! 391: 24, 1989, the League picketed Lotus headquarters on account of their
! 392: lawsuits, and then again on August 2, 1990. These marches stimulated
! 393: widespread media coverage for the issue. We welcome suggestions for
! 394: other activities, as well as help in carrying them out.
! 395:
! 396: Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for programmers,
! 397: managers and professionals; $10.50 for students; $21 for others.
! 398: Please give more if you can. The League's funds will be used for
! 399: filing briefs; for printing handouts, buttons and signs; whatever
! 400: will persuade the courts, the legislators, and the people. You may
! 401: not get anything personally for your dues--except for the freedom to
! 402: write programs. The League is a non-profit corporation, but not
! 403: considered a tax-exempt charity. However, for those self-employed in
! 404: software, the dues can be a business expense.
! 405:
! 406: The League needs both activist members and members who only pay their
! 407: dues. We also greatly need additional corporate members; contact us
! 408: for information.
! 409:
! 410: If you have any questions, please write to the League, phone
! 411: (617) 433-7071, or send Internet mail to [email protected]
! 412:
! 413: Jack Larsen, President
! 414: Dean Anderson, Secretary
! 415: Steve Sisak, Treasurer
! 416:
! 417: Jack Larsen can be contacted at (708) 698-1160; Fax (708) 698-6221.
! 418:
! 419: To join, please send a check and the following information to:
! 420:
! 421: League for Programming Freedom
! 422: 1 Kendall Square #143
! 423: P.O.Box 9171
! 424: Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
! 425:
! 426: (Outside the US, please send a check in US dollars on a bank having a
! 427: US correspondant bank, to save us check cashing fees.)
! 428:
! 429: Your name:
! 430:
! 431:
! 432: The address for League mailings, a few each year; please indicate
! 433: whether it is your home address or your work address:
! 434:
! 435:
! 436:
! 437: The company you work for, and your position:
! 438:
! 439:
! 440: Your phone numbers (home, work or both):
! 441:
! 442:
! 443: Your email address, so we can contact you for demonstrations or for
! 444: writing letters. (If you don't want us to contact you for these
! 445: things, please say so, but please give us your email address anyway
! 446: so we can save paper and postage by sending you the newsletter by
! 447: email.)
! 448:
! 449:
! 450: Is there anything about you which would enable your endorsement of
! 451: the LPF to impress the public? For example, if you are or have been
! 452: a professor or an executive, or have written software that has a good
! 453: reputation, please tell us.
! 454:
! 455:
! 456: Would you like to help with LPF activities?
! 457:
! 458:
! 459: The corporate charter of the League for Programming Freedom states:
! 460:
! 461: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in the following
! 462: activities:
! 463:
! 464: 1. To determine the existence of, and warn the public about
! 465: restrictions and monopolies on classes of computer programs where such
! 466: monopolies prevent or restrict the right to develop certain types of
! 467: computer programs.
! 468:
! 469: 2. To develop countermeasures and initiatives, in the public interest,
! 470: effective to block or otherwise prevent or restrain such monopolistic
! 471: activities including education, research, publications, public
! 472: assembly, legislative testimony, and intervention in court proceedings
! 473: involving public interest issues (as a friend of the court).
! 474:
! 475: 3. To engage in any business or other activity in service of and
! 476: related to the foregoing paragraphs that lawfully may be carried on
! 477: by a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts
! 478: General Laws.
! 479:
! 480: The officers and directors of the League will be elected annually by
! 481: the members.
! 482:
! 483:
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