[Reader-list] Richard M. Stallman on the Free Software

[dinesh t b]

Sunil, I cannot be there.. but do send us the highlights.
What might be of interest is how the IPR issues pan outside
of software movement. I was at an IPR workshop organized
by Voices a few months ago. A lot of time was spent on how
to protect the community IP of a group of Rajastani singers
whose IP was used in a Bollywood film. Even if these singers'
community can at all be identified so as to develop a license
agreement or compensatory mechanism, I wonder what would
be a way to identify what can be recognized as their IP.
The implications of introducing the idea of IP and its ramifications
can only disturb the singer community activity, while enabling
a chaotic influence on these people from the developed elite.
The whole idea of IP here rests on a common understanding
that anyone can use, adapt, learn and sing the songs of this
community and there by also identify and become connected
to them as an extended community BUT if one makes money
from these they need to respect the IP and ensure that these
creators are protected (by financially compensating for their
creation). The process is an implicit GPL. This would defeat
itself by any process that attempts to make it explicit, like
that of the GPL of Stallman. I have a feeling he would not
have the time and the will to listen to this(*), but if there is any way
he and you all can reflect on the GPL implications for WIPO
in a general sense.. update us. 

(*) possibly because he feels that this is a done to death discussion?

-d

ps: the event is today! And you are missing out on all the
Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations! :)

> From: Sunil Abraham <sunil at mahiti.org>
> Subject: [Reader-list] Richard M. Stallman on the Free Software
> Movement and Patents
 
> http://www.iosn.net/country/singapore/events/rms-singapore-2004/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Richard M. Stallman on the Free Software Movement and Patents
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> The Free Software movement highlights the issues regarding patents and
> the generalization and use of the term Intellectual Property Rights. For
> countries that are entering into global agreements such as WIPO, it is
> now crucial to assess the implications and impacts of international
> patent practises and policies, and to examine and assess the arguments
> introduced by the Free Software movement.
> 
> UNDP-APDIP International Open Source Network in collaboration with the
> School of Information Systems, Singapore Management University cordially
> invites you to attend an open session featuring Richard M. Stallman,
> founder of the Free Software movement.
> 
> Topic 
>         Free Software Movement and Patents 
> Date 
>         Monday, 1st November 2004 
> Time 
>         4:00pm 
> Venue 
>         Singapore Management University, SMU Auditorium, Bukit Timah
>         Campus, 469 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259756
> Registration 
>         On-line registration is required as there are limited seats
>         available. Please register as early as possible and take note
>         that registration closes on 28 October 2004. Click here to
>         register. 
>         If you have any queries, please write to SISseminar at smu.edu.sg.
> 
> Agenda
> Open Session
> 
> Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm
> 
>       * Welcome Address 
>               * Shum Kam Hong, Practice Associate Professor, School of
>                 Information Systems, Singapore Management University
>               * Sunil Abraham, Manager, International Open Source
>                 Network 
>       * Talk by Richard M. Stallman
>       * Discussant 
>               * Harish Pillay, Business Development Manager,Red Hat Asia
>                 Pacific
>               * Arvind Verma, Consultant, Enabler Technologies,
>                 Technology Office, Infocomm Development Authority of
>                 Singapore (IDA) 
>       * Question and Answer Session
>       * Tea Break
>