Re: [libreplanet-discuss] libreplanet-discuss Digest, Vol 103, Issue 1

[Daniel Pocock]

On 12/09/18 19:45, Adrienne G. Thompson wrote:
>> The FSF has a well known name associated with a distinctive philosophy.
>> Whether people agree with that philosophy or not, they usually know what
>> FSF believes in.  That is the power of a brand.
>>
>> When people see the name FSFE, they often believe it is a subsidiary or
>> group working within the FSF.  ...
>>
> 
> 
>> FSFE leadership have sometimes diverged from FSF philosophy
> 
> 
> 
>> FSF people have also produced vast amounts of code (the GNU Project) and
>> some donors appear to be contributing funds to FSFE in gratitude for
>> that or in the belief they are supporting that...
>>
> 
> 
> 
>> In fact, FSFE was set up as a completely independent
>> organization with distinct membership and management and therefore a
>> different president.
>>
> 
> You are right in that the FSF has been far too generous. An organization
> that is completely independent and that diverges from FSF philosophy should
> have not just a different president - but a different name. Your post may
> have outlined a case of infringement. Where an organization accepts money
> knowing that the donor intends that the funds should be for the benefit of
> another - the acceptance and use of that money may be fraud.
> 


Please be careful, if they started out with the right intentions and
drifted apart (organizations do change over time) then it is not a
deliberate fraud.

My email was only written to highlight the current state of play, being
the personal perspective of a concerned FSFE e.V. member (myself) and
the FSFE contributors represented in my capacity as Fellowship
representative.  It is not intended to be an accusation.

Regards,

Daniel