Karen Sandler

cyborg lawyer

old content here: https://mastodon.technology/@o0karen0o

Last Notes

2026-05-05 02:35:55 UTC

I managed to take my kid to the elementary chess nationals for the weekend, without installing or using proprietary software apps! I managed without apps for car rides, hotel, train, food delivery or the chess tournament itself (and no GPS)! Of course I used proprietary javascript for some bookings. It took extra leg work (mostly while my kid was playing) but I didn't even have to ask anyone else to help me with any of these things. Whew!! This shouldn't be such an accomplishment, but it is!

2026-02-06 00:20:31 UTC

The high profile #GPL lawsuits @npub103f…kaf3 brings are last resort - they are only the most visible part of our enforcement efforts.
We work hard to respond the violation reports we receive, and work with companies to get them into compliance.
We launched Use the Source to do more of our work in a way that people can see, and participate too, working towards using the source code we receive to do cool things with our own devices :)
Only $2401 left to our match goal!
https://sfconservancy.org/usethesource/

2026-01-31 10:37:43 UTC

The Legal & Policy Devroom is kicking off strong at #FOSDEM2026! Right now Gabriel Ku Wei Bin is giving a great intro to legal issues to kick things off and orient people before we talk about more in depth issues. The room is already pretty full!
https://live.fosdem.org/watch/ub5230
#FOSDEM
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/115/989/260/618/706/323/original/3615c58d8c3f147e.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/115/989/265/028/145/911/original/708174f966b0cb79.jpg

2026-01-16 04:46:33 UTC

Did you notice it's 1/15 and I've not been here trying to raise the last of our match? That's because we made our largest challenge ever already! \o/
But! Two new donors challenged us to raise another $40k by 2/5!
I know there's so much going on right now, but #softwarefreedom remains a key longterm issue. We're preparing for the Vizio trial to bring consumers rights, running an amazing #Outreachy round & working hard for our member projects.
Help spread the word!
https://sfconservancy.org/sustainer/

2026-01-12 04:09:16 UTC

Hello, Fedi friends! I'm a little tired focusing on the things I *wish* I could do if I had #softwarefreedom and the dangers of not having #freesoftware... I need a lift! What fun things are you doing with #FOSS these days?

2025-12-31 18:07:56 UTC

- reply

These are really tough decisions to make and we make our decisions very thoughtfully. You can see my talk from #FOSDEM last year about it:
https://archive.fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-6481-when-is-it-right-to-say-no-to-funding-/

2025-12-30 15:03:33 UTC

And if you don't ask us questions about #SFC or #softwarefreedom, I may ask you questions!
Anything is fair game - have any questions about [@outreachy](https://hachyderm.io/@outreachy )? The Vizio case? #GPL enforcement? Our member projects? Being a #cyborg?

2025-12-30 14:59:11 UTC

yay it's almost time for our #SFC AMA!!!! get your questions ready, Fediverse! What would you like to know about? @npub1p8f…tcuc, @npub1kmp…far2 and I will be standing by!

2025-12-04 17:52:46 UTC

The summary adjudication hearing in the Vizio case is in about 10 minutes, and the judge has issued her tentative decision in favor of @npub103f…kaf3 saying that Vizio has a duty to provide SFC with complete corresponding source code to its TV! (And rejecting 2 other arguments on procedural grounds). Arguments will happen today to see if the judge makes her tentative ruling final!
https://sfconservancy.org/news/2025/dec/04/tentative-vizio-ruling-in-favor-of-sfc/

2025-11-13 17:04:09 UTC

In one hour, there will be a hearing in the VIzio law suit!
It's about a motion VIzio made, asking the court to rule (without any discussion at trial) that there is no installation right in #gplv2. The "tentative" ruling published this morning denies VIzio's request! The parties will discuss further at the hearing to see if the tentative becomes final.
If you're comfortable using proprietary software (zoom via browser), you can watch:
https://occourtsapp.occourts.org/aci/checkin-results?dept=C33

2025-07-31 21:27:58 UTC

The main livestream link for #FOSSY is here:
https://restreamer.opensignalpdx.org/
I'm sad that I can't be at #FOSSY2025 as I recover from a cardiac procedure but I gotta say it feels pretty cool to be able to jump from room to room to check out all of the talks going on at the same time!

2025-01-14 21:05:42 UTC

oh boy, our fundraiser is over tomorrow (AOE so more than 24 hours), but we've still got about $30k to raise!
Please please please us spread the word, we can do this!
https://sfconservancy.org/sustainer/

2024-08-14 17:46:07 UTC

Outreachy is getting squeezed financially from reduced funding related to diversity programs and reduced funding for open source orgs. Can you help us spread the word about how important the program is and help us connect to folks who might contribute funding?
https://www.outreachy.org/blog/2024-08-14/outreachy-needs-your-help/
@npub1vdy…c5wa
#outreachy