Conservancy and Debian announce Copyright Aggregation Project

[Software Freedom Conservancy]

URL: https://sfconservancy.org/news/2015/aug/17/debian/

     Conservancy and Debian announce Copyright Aggregation Project
   New Services Agreement Implemented between Conservancy and Debian

Earlier this month, in his keynote at DebConf (the Debian Project's
annual conference in Heidelberg, Germany), Software Freedom
Conservancy's Distinguished Technologist and President, Bradley M. Kuhn,
announced Conservancy's Debian Copyright Aggregation Project. This new
project, formed at the request of Debian developers, gives Debian
contributors various new options to ensure the defense of software
freedom. Specifically, Debian contributors may chose to either assign
their copyrights to Conservancy for permanent stewardship, or sign
Conservancy's license enforcement agreement, which delegates to
Conservancy authority to enforce Free Software licenses (such as the GNU
General Public License). Several Debian contributors have already signed
both forms of agreement.

Former Debian Project Leader (DPL), Stefano Zacchiroli enthusiastically
welcomed the program, saying: "I urged Conservancy to work with Debian
to create this program. Holding copyright on Free Software code is a
privilege, but also a huge responsibility. Debian Developers have asked
me for years a way to make sure some charity they can trust looked after
their hard work and ensured Free Software licenses were
upheld. Conservancy is the best partner I can imagine for this job. I've
signed up myself for the program!"

On behalf of the Debian community, Conservancy can now safeguard the
long term interests of Debian and its commitment to software freedom. In
connection with the Aggregation Project, Conservancy will provide
license consulting, advice, and compliance services to Debian in
coordination with the DPL. The framework for all these services to the
Debian community was implemented by Lucas Nussbaum during his term as
DPL. The agreement established the DPL as the primary contact point for
the services agreement.

Neil McGovern, the current DPL, stated: "With this new program, Debian
has a fantastic opportunity to build an ongoing collaboration with
Conservancy to enforce Debian contributors' rights in accordance with
the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). I welcome the experience and
sage advice from Conservancy on licensing and policy matters, and
applaud their various other efforts on software freedom."

Conservancy can now accept assignment agreements or enforcement
agreements for any Debian contributors who choose to join the
Aggregation Project. Currently, Debian developers interested in this
program can contact <debian-services at sfconservancy.org>. The DPL and
Conservancy are working together to create a self-service system for
filing the paperwork.

Kuhn's keynote from DebConf is available on Conservancy's website in
video, and he summarized his thoughts in a blog post on Conservancy's
website at https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2015/aug/17/debian/.