I've been saying for a long time that there's a need for something like this, and this sounds like an excellent start!
One thing that I'd add that's already implicit in various parts of the proposal in playing a role in advocating on particular issues--advocacy should definitely be a key part of such an org. On Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 5:49 PM, Brian Rowe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > What would you like to see as your ideal grassroots, general public, > international FC org? > > I think the members should help form the orgs platform. I would strive to > be inclusive instead of exclusive. Here are my initial thoughts > > Platform: > 1. Open Access to all knowledge (regardless of of ones social or economic > standing) especially to scholarly works > 2. Participatory Culture - broader rights to remix and reuse culture. focus > on minimizing transactional costs and Fair Use > 3. Innovation through access to cultural and scientific works > 4. Inclusive of Artist, Coders, Students, Academics, and General members of > the population > 5. Focus on expanding the Public Domain, Fair Use and Free Speech > 6. Recognition of broader social goals Free Culture contributes to > including but not limited to: equality, access to justice, access to > essential medicines and basic Human Rights > > Major Activities: > 1. Alliance building - willing to work with other orgs to coordinate > campaigns > 2. Political activism - campaigns where members can take action > 3. Act as an umbrella organization that would help foster smaller projects > and provide assistance to fledgling FC related ideas > 4. Outreach and education at middle schools, high schools, colleges, > technology summits, conferences professional and academic > 5. Direct media contact over current issues > > Policies: > 1. Strongly recommend PD, BY or freedom defined licenses > 2. the organization exclusively uses PD or BY for all publications > 3. Strongly recommend Free Open Source Software on all platforms with a > preference for Linux (or other open OS) > 4. The organization should set an example in its own software choices > 5. Promotion of data portability for Web applications > 6. Promotion of open standards > > Governance: > 1. NPO 501c3 or charitable org > 2. Member driven (funded at least in part through memberships) > 3. Board of directors which includes input from general members. Maybe 1 > or 2 elected or appointed position on the board that represent member > perspectives. > 4. Membership level of "Volunteer" where one can donate time instead of > cash to become a member > 5. Open investments - the community should be assured that all org > investments are in places that are compatible with the mission > 6. Publicly Open Board meetings for all matters except emergencies and > personal decisions. > > Ideas to help start: > Challenge pledge the way Open Rights Group (ORG) was founded > Merging a few existing fledgling orgs under central leadership > > Things to avoid: > 1. Direct Litigation - EFF and ACLU are doing well here and the cost is > very high. I would limit legal action to policy papers and *amici briefs* > 2. PAC Money - We can't change the system through buying representatives. > > General comments: > This outline is heavily influenced by my work on Freedom for IP and WSBA's > Access to Justice Committee. Please feel free to make any comments, > suggestions or critisims. > > Best, > > Brian Rowe > Seattle University Law > -- > Brian Rowe > 3L Seattle University > (206) 335-8577 (Cell) > > Access To Justice Technology Principles > www.ATJWeb.org > > Freedom for IP > www.FreedomforIP.org > > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > [email protected] > http://freeculture.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/discuss > >
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