This is very interesting. You say some cat has come out of some bag. I don't understand what the cat is and where the bag is. The FSF India objected when the name "Second National Convention" was used because we believe that the first conference was convened by FSF India and others. We objected to someone else organising the second in the series even without informing us. You call that "war"?
Subsequently, the organisers changed the name and some of us who were invited decided to participate, though FSF India was not involved in organising the conference. You call that "war"? You mean, we should not have participated?
Hope you understand that a symbol cannot be patented. And I hope that you understand that when the logo of an organisation is used, it normally means that the organisation is involved or it has approved the use of the logo. Otherwise there is no purpose for a logo. Who has imposed a ban on the term Free Software? Please explain.
You say that if an organisation accepts money from another, then the one that accepts money should not criticise the donor. This is absolute nonsense. This can happen only when the money is paid with the intention of silencing the receiver. Please be clear about it. FSF India will not accept money with conditions attached. That is what we understand about ethics. Not changing our stand when someone pays. Or supports in any other manner. Only those who are willing to support under this condition needs to. We don't ask money from people who do not accept our stand. If someone willingly gives money, or support, we will accept it. That does not change our stand on any matter. We are not coming out with any other theory. We have made it clear that neither FSF nor FSF India has a Boycott Novell campaign. Our protest was against the suppression of a democratic form of protest against Novell. When the freedom of speech is denied, what is the point in speaking about the freedom of software?
We objected to IKM using proprietary software, and we have also written letters about various other governments opting for proprietary software. The protest against IKM was stronger because there is a stronger FS movement in Kerala compared to other places. And why do you pick only on these things? We have been supporting the IT@School project in Kerala even since it decided to use Free Software, and continue that support even today. We have been highly appreciative of the decision of the Kerala government to promote Free Software and have been providing all support that we can. Why do you see only one side and start criticising?
We have explained the accusation of being "undemocratic" in another thread, and I don't propose to repeat it here.
If you want to see positive changes in FSF India, be positive in your criticism rather than simply throwing allegations. If your intention is to tarnish the image of FSF India (and, as it appears, FSF Boston also) please go ahead.
Best Sasi
On Sun, 2008-11-30 at 12:41 +0530, Arvind Kumar Chinniah wrote:
Now the cat is out of bag. It is clear from the statement from Board of directors that the on going battle against the Kochi conference got the covert and overt blessing from the whole board of FSF though some of them participating in the conference. The name Free Software Foundation (FSF) and its emblem, the wheel symbol might have be patented by FSF in any of Indian Patent office if not in US and the ban imposed by FSF, not to use the name FSF is understandable but the FSF cannot extend its territory to impose a ban on others not to use the term Free Software.