I propose we create a Legal Affairs Wing to discuss, research and solve legal issues involving the use of Free Software. Pressing issues should receive the highest priority, but we cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that GNU Freedom could become the mother of *all* our Freedoms. Law reform and the task of reducing law to code would be the main work of the Legal Affairs Wing. Modern legal systems need to use free software.
Often, people imagine legal applications to be "vertical" but on the contrary, nothing could be more "horizontal". Law is the common background for *all* of us. Making the law available as free software code would make free software more ubiquitous in society.
Today's editorial in the Hindu, includes an opinion on "Making Government Intelligent" that is available online at : http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/21/stories/2005032101751000.htm . We need to act quickly. Free software is based on the philosophy of love, sharing, and freedom, and the same social colloboration is needed to reduce the law to code to achieve success. Many entities have "business rules" written in antiquated languages based on non-free software, and the lack of availability of equivalent or better free software code is cited as main reason justifying use of non-free software. Our involvment in a constructive way is necessary to bring about an important change.
The Legal Affairs Wing (LAW) should have two clear divisions, (1) "FSF LAW", dealing with matters involving issues directly concerning FSF India, such as gpl violations, and very specific issues concerning use of free software, and (2) "GNU LAW" dealing with the law in general.
Please make room for GNU LAW - it will change our lives for the better :)
Regards, Ramanraj.