SFP#24: The status of Free Software with Karen Sandler and Alexander Sander

Have there been any changes for Free Software in Europe or the USA in the last year? How is Free Software viewed by legislators? What can we do to support software freedom? Karen Sandler and Alexander Sander are active in the Free Software movement and share their views on the current status of Free Software in our society.

Karen Sandler is the executive director of the Software Freedom Conservancy and has a background in law and engineering. Our second guest for this episode is the FSFE's Senior Policy Consultant, Alexander Sander. In his work, Alex focuses on policy topics, always raising the status of Free Software within Europe. Over the past year, he has met with many decision-makers in Europe such as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or officials from the European Commission and Council, to talk about Free Software, for example in relation to the AI Act, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), or the Product Liability Directive (PLD).

At the same time, across the ocean, the Software Freedom Conservancy has been working with a broad alliance to advocate for the right to repair.

In short a lot has happened in the past year. Luckily, Alex and Karen are here to talk with our host Bonnie about the current situation and what we still need to do for software freedom. Learn more about the state of Free Software with Alex and Karen and find out how you can support software freedom.

This is the perfect episode for everybody who needs a quick summary of the past year. Let's start software freedom!

Show notes

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• Software Freedom Conservancy
• "Amicus curiae brief": SFC joins amicus curiae in Green v. Department of Justice
• Use the source
• Software Freedom Conservancy Podcast with Karen Sandler
• Liability, Interoperability and Free Software in EU: what we are expecting
• EU Declaration of Digital Rights and Principles falls short of its ambitions
• "Public Money? Public Code!"
• "Public Money? Public Code!": contact your local public bodies
• FSFE's activities and how you can join our work for software freedom
• FOSDEM Legal and Policy Issues devroom
• Valetudo: liberate your vacuum robot
• Dédalo: Managing Cultural Heritage Archives
• Mujer y memoria

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