Re: Questions for candidates

[Richard Stallman <rms gnu org>]

  > 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.