(LPF) A grass-roots
ORganisation of profess
ORs, students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to bringing back the freedom to write programs. 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. The new monopolies,
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 monopolise well-known command languages some have succeeded. Copyrights on command languages enf
ORce gratuitous incompatibility, close opp
ORtunities f
OR competition, and stifle incremental improvements.
Software patents are even m
ORe dangerous they make every design decision in the development of a program carry a risk of a lawsuit, with draconian pre-trial 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 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 w
ORks 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 1989-05-24, the League picketed
Lotus headquarters on account of their lawsuits, and then again on 2 August 1990. These marches stimulated widespread media coverage f
OR the issue. We welcome suggestions f
OR other activities, as well as help in carrying them out. Membership dues in the League are $42 per year f
OR programmers, managers and professionals $10.50 f
OR students $21 f
OR others. The League' s funds will be used f
OR filing briefs f
OR printing handouts, buttons and signs whatever will persuade the courts, the legislat
ORs, and the people. You may not get anything personally f
OR your dues -- except f
OR the freedom to write programs. The League is a non-profit c
ORp
ORation, but not considered a tax-exempt charity. However, f
OR 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 c
ORp
ORate members contact us f
OR inf
ORmation. Jack Larsen is President, Chris Hofstader is Secretary, and Steve Sisak is Treasurer.
Start . Telephone: +1 (617) 243 4091. E-mail:
. Address: League fOR Programming Freedom, 1 Kendall Square #143, P.O.Box 9171, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 USA. (1999-02-18) In addition suitable contents:
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