Hello, I understand that there has been a discussion on this list about having a foundation that would represent the community of Openmoko.
Fifteen years ago Linux International was created to provide services for the Linux community. It was started as a vendor organization, at a time when there were not many vendors interested in Linux. We handled a lot of legal and business issues for Linux: o Protected the Linux Trademark from people that would "kidnap" it for various reasons o Helped to start two certification organizations (we funded some of the original testing work for LPI certification) o Helped to start the Linux Standard Base project, which became the Free Standards Group o Helped to form what became Linuxworld o Helped many local user groups start local events, most notably the Atlanta LinuxFest and the Ohio LinuxFest We tended to split off the groups we formed, afraid that one vendor organization would provide too much power in a centralized organization. For various reasons as larger companies started to show interest in Linux, our membership went to form OSDL, which now is the Linux Foundation. Linux International as an organization has been dormant for about five years. I have still been spreading the word about Free Software at conferences, through magazine articles and media interviews. Recently I came up with the idea of reforming Linux International into an "end user" organization, with the concept that no company could join as a member, nor sit on the board of directors as a member. Only individual end users could hold membership, vote, etc. Of course almost everybody is an end user of some type of software, so the membership would be quite "open". I have been working to change the charter of LI to reflect this. Recently I started another project, not a phone, but otherwise similar in its needs to Openmoko. This other project will have a community, be completely "open", and needs an umbrella organization to help with legal work, etc. I intend on forming a sub-group of LI for this project. I could offer the same to Openmoko, to be a sub-group of LI. Linux International is already a legal entity. We are a "not-for-profit" in the state of New Hampshire, U.S.A. There are reasons why LI is a "not-for-profit" instead of a non-profit (501c3 or 501c6) which have to do with ease of applying revenues, etc. Nothing stops LI from becoming a 501c6 (501c3 is very restrictive), and nothing would stop the sub-group of Openmoko from becoming a non-profit, if that is desired. Likewise the plans for LI are to have country chapters, with separate boards for each country chapter. This was planned way before the current issue with Openmoko, but you could take advantage of the planned structure if you wish. LI would solicit sponsorships to help fund its work which could come from companies, but again the voting membership would be from individuals only. The things that LI does would be "Open" to all. We do plan on having some things we charge for, to cover costs. If the Openmoko community is interested in pursuing this, I would be happy to discuss LI's plans further with you, and how Openmoko could fit into this. Warmest regards, Jon "maddog" Hall -- Jon "maddog" Hall Executive Director Linux International(R) email: mad...@li.org 80 Amherst St. Voice: +1.603.672.4557 Amherst, N.H. 03031-3032 U.S.A. Cell: +1.603.943.6666 WWW: http://www.li.org Board Member: Uniforum Association Board Member Emeritus: USENIX Association (2000-2006) (R)Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in several countries. (R)Linux International is a registered trademark in the USA used pursuant to a license from Linux Mark Institute, authorized licensor of Linus Torvalds, owner of the Linux trademark on a worldwide basis (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the USA and other countries. _______________________________________________ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community