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diff --git a/etc/LPF b/etc/LPF new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..e5c020b3cec --- /dev/null +++ b/etc/LPF @@ -0,0 +1,122 @@ + Protect Your Freedom to Write Programs + Join the League for Programming Freedom + (Version of January 15, 1991) + +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 monopolize well-known command +languages; some have succeeded. Copyrights on command languages +enforce gratuitous incompatibility, close opportunities for +competition, and stifle incremental improvements. + +Software patents are even more dangerous; they make every design +decision in the development of a program carry a risk of a lawsuit, +with draconian pretrial 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 for Programming Freedom is a grass-roots organization of +professors, students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to +bringing back the freedom to write programs. 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 works 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 May 24, 1989, the League +picketed Lotus headquarters on account of their lawsuits, and then +again on August 2, 1990. These marches stimulated widespread media +coverage for the issue. We welcome suggestions for other activities, +as well as help in carrying them out. + +Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for programmers, +managers and professionals; $10.50 for students; $21 for others. +Please give more if you can. The League's funds will be used for +filing briefs; for printing handouts, buttons and signs; whatever will +persuade the courts, the legislators, and the people. You may not get +anything personally for your dues--except for the freedom to write +programs. The League is a non-profit corporation, but not considered +a tax-exempt charity. However, for 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 corporate members; contact us +for information. + +If you have any questions, please write to the League or phone +(617) 243-4091. Or send Internet mail to league@prep.ai.mit.edu. + + Jack Larsen, President + Chris Hofstader, Secretary + Steve Sisak, Treasurer + +Jack Larsen can be contacted at (708) 698-1160; Fax (708) 698-6221. + To join, please send a check and the following information to: + + League for Programming Freedom + 1 Kendall Square #143 + P.O.Box 9171 + Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 + +(Outside the US, please send a check in US dollars on a bank +having a US correspondant bank, to save us check cashing fees.) + +Your name: + + +The address for League mailings (a few each year): + + + +The company you work for, and your position: + + +Your phone numbers (home, work or both): + + +Your email address, so we can contact you for demonstrations or for +writing letters. (If you don't want us to contact you for these +things, please say so, but please give us your email address anyway.) + + +Is there anything about you which would enable your endorsement of the +LPF to impress the public? For example, if you are or have been a +professor or an executive, or have written software that has a good +reputation, please tell us. + + + +Would you like to help with LPF activities? + + + + +The corporate charter of the League for Programming Freedom states: + + The purpose of the corporation is to engage in the following + activities: + + 1. To determine the existence of, and warn the public about + restrictions and monopolies on classes of computer programs where such + monopolies prevent or restrict the right to develop certain types of + computer programs. + + 2. To develop countermeasures and initiatives, in the public interest, + effective to block or otherwise prevent or restrain such monopolistic + activities including education, research, publications, public + assembly, legislative testimony, and intervention in court proceedings + involving public interest issues (as a friend of the court). + + 3. To engage in any business or other activity in service of and + related to the foregoing paragraphs that lawfully may be carried on + by a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts + General Laws. + +The officers and directors of the League will be elected annually by +the members. |