> especially as there are a fair few restrictions on what we at GNOME can do > to contribute to the advance of free software under the bylaws and CNPBC so > we are obliged to stick to the mission if we are to continue to > enjoy 501(c)(3) status as a public benefit corporation (i.e. a > charity).[1,2,3]
The FSF has the same status; anything that's lawful for the FSF is lawful for the GNOME Foundation too. Mainly it's a matter of following the foundation's charter; but the charter doesn't have to be interpreted in the strictest possible way. There are limits on expendatures for lobbying, but lobbying is a rather narrow activity and I think we have never done it. Grassroots activism and communication to the public are usually not lobbying. Also, we are not allowed to work for or against specific candidates for office. > I would be pretty open to hearing any ideas on what we can do above and > beyond being useful free software which does fall within GNOME’s remit, > though. The GNOME Foundation's activities will naturally focus on promoting GNOME; in the course of those activities, it can promote the free software ideas too, in many ways. -- Dr Richard Stallman President, Free Software Foundation 51 Franklin St Boston MA 02110 USA www.fsf.org www.gnu.org Skype: No way! See stallman.org/skype.html. _______________________________________________ foundation-list mailing list foundation-list@gnome.org https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/foundation-list