Simon Phipps

OSI Standards director · Meshed Insights CEO · Geek-Nerd · Cat servant. Personal account, see pinned post. Beware clones, see hub and check for validation ticks.

Fediverse citizen since the 1980s: UUCP, BBSs; IRC; identi.ca,; mastodon.cc · Old posts are auto-deleted.

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Last Notes

2026-03-18 20:54:46 UTC

Are you going to @nprofile…x044 this year? April 25-26 in Manchester (the original one in the UK).
https://www.oggcamp.org/
#Events #OpenSource #FreeCulture

2025-07-15 21:37:59 UTC

Back in 2023 the @nprofile…4kmp opened the question of whether the European #standards system created by regulation 1025/2012 is working well. The final report of this enquiry is now available, aqt https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13446-European-standardisation-evaluation_en
"The evaluation shows that the Regulation has led to some improvements in the speed and inclusiveness of standards development, yet it struggles to meet current market, policy and legal needs"
Time for change, methinks.

2025-07-14 13:51:27 UTC

I'm struck by how important the Berne Convention is to the global adoption of #OpenSource. Without it software copyright would be a hotpotch of different principles and policies in different countries and standardised licensing would be ineffective at delivering #SoftwareFreedom globally.
Seduced by that experience of uniform global law, we somehow believe global open licensing for other forms of expression will be easy. It will not. It may not even be possible.

2025-07-01 14:17:45 UTC

I'm hearing that the @nprofile…4kmp is willing to sideline its AI Act to try to barter favours from the US. There are a bunch of US companies who have been working hard to make it so.
https://www.techpolicy.press/how-us-firms-are-weakening-the-eu-ai-code-of-practice/

2025-06-20 09:36:35 UTC

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To discuss the new API, please use the OSI forums: https://discuss.opensource.org/t/introducing-the-new-api-for-osi-approved-licenses/1169

2025-06-20 08:17:56 UTC

OSI has a new API! There has actually been an OSI license API for many years thanks to the efforts of some of the directors a decade ago. Since it was manually maintained, it kept getting out of date.
I am delighted that OSI now has a new API integrated into its WordPress instance that uses the same metadata as the license pages themselves so is always correct.
https://opensource.org/blog/introducing-the-new-api-for-osi-approved-licenses
#OpenSource

2025-05-13 19:51:17 UTC

My first entry on #AtlasObscura is live. So heavily edited by their team that it's lost its edge, but still pleased to grow the #Southampton section.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pilgrim-fathers-memorial-southampton

2025-05-13 19:04:04 UTC

Looks like #Firefox has moved to GitHub https://github.com/mozilla-firefox/firefox

2025-04-26 09:59:19 UTC

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@nprofile…m0th
BTDTGTTS (MariaDB)

2025-04-26 08:49:49 UTC

There's long been a view held by certain cynical entrepreneurs that they can go with #OpenSource to build a user base then bait-and-switch software freedom away once it is established. That's bad.
What's worse is to donate to an open source Foundation then pretend you have the right to "take back" the project later.
This is not a new phenomenon, we have seen it before and can spot the signs (like fake licenses). But this case (#NATS at #CNCF) looks pretty severe.
https://www.cncf.io/blog/2025/04/24/protecting-nats-and-the-integrity-of-open-source-cncfs-commitment-to-the-community/

2025-04-24 22:06:55 UTC

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@nprofile…ej4y That is wonderful, so pleased for you :-)

2025-04-24 14:47:54 UTC

Europeans! Are you concerned about the security of your health information? How about its accessibility with #OpenSource tools?
The @nprofile…4kmp is seeking members for its Health Cybersecurity Advisory Board - deadline is May 23rd.
https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=3997&fromCallsApplication=true

2025-04-24 12:11:49 UTC

Delighted to see that the #SWHID standard from @nprofile…ltcg has been confirmed as ISO/IEC 18670:2025 - many congratulations to the team!
This is very significant as it means we can now reference SWHID within #CRA harmonised standards.
And of course ISO wants money for it despite it being created and contributed freely.
https://www.iso.org/standard/89985.html
#standards

2025-04-07 19:23:42 UTC

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@nprofile…qejh
I have another plan...

2025-04-06 21:07:53 UTC

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@nprofile…3jsm
Well, disrupting the neoliberal tech complex also needs open source unless there's a way to create a countercultural corporation.
We most commonly see nationalism, regionalism and other proxies for ID proof proposed - all vehicles for effects that fragment activism. I suspect the right tools involve strong, founder-anchored communities and reciprocal licensing, which can in turn draw and administer lines.

2025-04-06 20:51:48 UTC

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@nprofile…zg7e
Thanks. So far they remain impassive and the available escalation paths are rather scary...

2025-04-06 20:50:30 UTC

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@nprofile…3jsm
The OSI policy team (Brussels and DC) is fully engaged in those realities but it's a real challenge finding angles that address the problem without also disempowering progressive responses. To be expected really, given fascism is a disorder of democracy rather than an alternative ideology. The solution is not an alternative authoritarianism.

2025-04-06 15:32:31 UTC

Don't be fooled by Meta's claims its Llama AI is open source. As well as its commercial restrictions, Meta's Llama 4 Acceptable Use Policy overrides the license & blocks software freedom rights to EU citizens.
AUP: "the rights ... are not being granted to you if you are an individual domiciled in, or a company with a principal place of business in, the European Union"
https://www.llama.com/llama4/use-policy/
https://www.llama.com/llama4/license/
#OpenSource? #NotOpenSource!

2025-04-02 14:58:08 UTC

My favourite #OpenSource #conference in #Europe is #SFSCon (held in South Tyrol on 7-8 November), and its #CallForPapers has just opened.
https://www.sfscon.it/call-4-speakers/

2025-04-01 14:08:07 UTC

The @nprofile…4kmp has a new catalogue of #OpenSource solutions created for public services.
https://interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu/eu-oss-catalogue

2025-03-21 11:58:51 UTC

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@nprofile…c5n8
Finally rushing south in your general direction now the constipation on the high speed line (a maintenance train stuck somewhere) is resolved. We'll be in Vallence at 14:15 apparently.

2025-03-21 11:48:47 UTC

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@nprofile…g800
There is a parallel call at ETSI but applicants will need to be vouched-for by an ETSI member (e.g. Red Hat, Mozilla and OSI)

2025-03-19 18:15:42 UTC

With the FCC gutted and no-one left to ensure their end of the adequacy arrangement with the EU, surely it's time for the EU to ban data sharing with the USA?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/03/18/two-democratic-commissioners-fired-ftc/

2025-03-18 09:02:33 UTC

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@nprofile…7mjd
ODF is created at OASIS and becomes an ISO standard via their PAS (Publicly Available Specification) process. They still demand editorial changes before they sell it though - for v1.3 they demanded Part 1 be removed as it is a preamble and they would.not be able to charge so much for it.

2025-03-18 00:16:57 UTC

Looking at the class action lawsuit by academic peer reviewers claiming publishers constitute an illegal cartel that is misappropriating funding to their research, I am wondering whether standards professionals could mount a similar action, I am wondering whether #standards professionals could mount a similar action against ISO et al for diverting payment for their work exclusively to standards publishing.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/academic-publishers-face-class-action-over-peer-review-pay-other-restrictions-2024-09-13/
https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/lbpglkzeyvq/Uddin%20v%20ELSEVIER%2020240912.pdf
#ModestProposal

2025-03-12 12:29:25 UTC

Given so much money is now leaving Europe in the form of payments for IP, maybe it's time to tax that value chain like other goods are subject to VAT? I propose a new EU-wide Valuable Intellectual Property tax (VIP) on all royalties and fees received for patents, copyrights, trademarks and similar, offsetable against royalties paid and also offsetable against corporation tax paid within the EU.
#ModestProposal

2025-02-25 16:56:03 UTC

Practice Safe Text
https://www.openrightsgroup.org/campaign/save-encryption/

2025-02-19 18:55:44 UTC

And yes, when I say the term Commercial Open Source is "harmful" I mean it
https://the.webm.ink/the-comprehension-error-behind-the-cra-issue

2025-02-12 13:19:51 UTC

In move that is presumably performative and for the benefit of JD Vance, the European Commission has also cancelled the AI Liability Act. Far from being "more regulation" this small law was going to harmonise AI liability across Europe and make it _more_ competitive, as Axel Voss eloquently explains here:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/axel-voss-a1744969_ai-liability-directive-withdrawn-by-scrapping-activity-7295369439619743744-wMc9

2025-02-12 09:56:11 UTC

The patent-telecoms-complex has been granted its wish and the move by the EU to regulate #patents embedded in #standards (#SEPs) has been killed. SEP holders prefer expensive and obscure litigation instead and were afraid the transparentcy would harm them so lobbied Council into submission.
https://www.juve-patent.com/legal-commentary/eu-commission-withdraws-sep-regulation/
This doesn't mean action is not required however. SEPs embedded in the standards we have to obey to comply with the law have got to go. https://opensource.org/blog/standards-and-the-presumption-of-conformity

2025-02-11 15:05:31 UTC

An international political summit meeting does not stand alone. It is the culmination of weeks and months of pre-meeting diplomacy. To not sign the summary communique indicates either you didn't bother participating in the prep work, or that your position was impossibly isolated. Either way it's a bad look for whoever refuses to sign.
#AISummit

2025-02-07 17:14:23 UTC

Today #Bandcamp are donating 100% of their proceeds to LA fire relief. From my #BandcampFriday queue I have picked out:
* Great new-ish album by BADBADNOTGOOD, "Mid Spiral" https://badbadnotgoodofficial.bandcamp.com/album/mid-spiral #jazz
* Re-issue of Aphex Twin's "Selected Ambient Works Volume II" in an expanded edition https://aphextwin.bandcamp.com/album/selected-ambient-works-volume-ii-expanded-edition #ambient #classic
* New album from Franz Ferdinand, "The Human Fear" https://franzferdinand.bandcamp.com/album/the-human-fear #pop
#music

2025-01-21 16:10:51 UTC

All #OpenSource licenses are permissive.
https://meshedinsights.com/2021/01/27/all-open-source-licenses-are-permissive/

2025-01-08 00:49:51 UTC

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@nprofile…w8ng I have sensed no appetite for voluntary compromise of any kind, and the lawsuit signals that. That attitude mirrors the view among SEP-dependent legacy corporations (who also seem to support ISO's view) that any accommodation of open source is a step too far. Heck, if you can read the standards for free you might want to implement them for free too.

2025-01-08 00:08:33 UTC

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@nprofile…w8ng It's excellent timing as the EU is currently deciding whether regulation 1025/2012 needs revision. This case makes it exceptionally clear that, whatever the outcome of the case, a change is definitely needed to ensure harmonised standards are freely available as the law requires.

2024-11-27 11:45:23 UTC

There is still time to apply for inclusion in the EU #Policy Devroom at #FOSDEM - the application deadline is December 1st.
This is our second instance of a workspace for #OpenSource community members to engage with EU lawmakers to ensure new law reflects the realities of open source and #FreeSoftware. We seek legislation that understands #SoftwareFreedom matters.
Full details:
https://softwarefreedom.net/fosdem-25-cfp

2024-11-22 17:59:50 UTC

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@nprofile…uwp2 Yes, although that point has been raised in the Reg 1025 review and I think may well get inspected.

2024-11-22 11:27:07 UTC

#AI delivering Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/21/deus-in-machina-swiss-church-installs-ai-powered-jesus?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

2024-10-23 09:18:29 UTC

Pleased to see the FSF is also taking the AI bubble seriously.
https://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-is-working-on-freedom-in-machine-learning-applications
#SoftwareFreedom #AI

2024-10-18 10:47:38 UTC

There is a "town hall" meeting about the Open Source AI Definition today - I expect it will be the last before the release of v1.0.
https://opensource.org/events/open-source-ai-definition-town-hall-2024-10-18
#OpenSource #AI

2024-07-29 21:18:28 UTC

> Therefore, in the interest of
> being more precise, we use
> the term “open foundation
> models” to refer to AI models
> with widely available weights.
CISA not saying "open source AI" until it is defined. Bravo.
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/open-source-artificial-intelligence-dont-forget-lessons-open-source-software
#OpenSource #AI

2023-09-11 10:10:14 UTC

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@npub1w7s…7npv Soooo jealous!

2023-08-21 17:37:23 UTC

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@npub1qe5…8ugl It's always projection over there.

2023-08-19 11:36:36 UTC

A US district court has confirmed the #Copyright Office position that #AI artwork is not copyrightable in the US, and granted summary dismissal of Thaler v Perlmutter.
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.243956/gov.uscourts.dcd.243956.24.0.pdf
#GenAI

2023-08-16 20:12:31 UTC

If you are using Zapier be aware they are using your analytics, configuration and task data to train their #AI model.
https://zapier.com/legal/tos-update-faq

2023-08-14 16:26:42 UTC

The German automotive industry is worried about the impact of the #CRA on #OpenSource
https://www.vda.de/dam/jcr:888e90b1-84dc-4660-a266-f246a141112f/VDA%20Brief%20position%20FOSS_EN.pdf?mode=view

2023-08-13 23:07:11 UTC

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@npub16my…h5k6 Facebook also creates and maintains significant open source software such as React https://github.com/facebook
XWiki SAS is a significant and successful company https://xwiki.com/en/company/who-we-are/

2023-08-13 15:39:04 UTC

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@npub16my…h5k6 XWiki, Facebook are two examples at opposite ends of the scale but there are plenty of others.

2023-08-13 12:53:15 UTC

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@npub16my…h5k6 Usually in response to pressure from a VC-appointed stakeholder who is offended by the idea of "freeloaders" using "his" software without adding to the (usually significant) existing profits. Successful open source companies make money with the software rather than from the software.

2023-08-13 11:01:46 UTC

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@npub1hqv…d5hy
Modern licenses have upgrade language in the license, and non-reciprocal licenses are readily co-licensable. It's only single company projects using strong copyleft licenses for a scareware strategy that really need the ability to pivot away from unwanted community members like this.
@npub1asg…p40g

2023-08-13 10:58:42 UTC

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@npub16my…h5k6 That's certainly what they hope you will think. But companies generally make this pivot for other reasons.

2023-08-12 18:52:29 UTC

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@npub1asg…p40g Licenses that are used without a CLA are good, especially if they include copyleft provisions.

2023-08-12 18:41:17 UTC

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@npub1a8k…wuy8 The key is to avoid single-vendor software.

2023-08-12 17:48:01 UTC

The #HashiCorp license change is just the most recent example of a company that no longer needs to drive adoption with #OpenSource claims. I write about it in 2021 but it's been around for about 20 years. It is not "the end of open source", just a lifecycle stage for a VC funded software startup.
https://meshedinsights.com/2021/02/02/rights-ratchet/

2023-08-09 17:57:14 UTC

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@npub1ywy…cksd Security or Kubernetes security? Those are not the same.

2023-08-09 14:47:30 UTC

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@npub1hyf…5wyk
I am a reviewer. In the current round I have seen both very specific, project work and more general, committee work being proposed. In general both are getting funded as long as the application is thorough, explains the benefits to Europe and includes coherent costings rather than magic numbers

2023-08-08 17:18:36 UTC

Are you involved in making open #standards in Europe? Substantial funding for your work and travel is available from the @npub1llz…08cq - all you have to do is fill out a form explaining what you are doing and #StandICT will do the rest.
https://www.standict.eu/standicteu-2026-2nd-open-call

2023-08-08 16:24:20 UTC

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@npub16e6…g6m5
I still see it at https://explore.zoom.us/en/terms/

2023-08-07 19:03:17 UTC

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@npub1m3y…lm5r
Yes, around 17:00 UTC

2023-08-07 18:23:35 UTC

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@npub12k6…9chp
Zoom just added this to clause 10.4:
"Notwithstanding the above, Zoom will not use audio, video or chat Customer Content to train our artificial intelligence models without your consent."
It's inadequate and reeks of desperation, but suggests they are sensitive to the issue - which is a good sign.

2023-08-07 17:54:51 UTC

I have added an update to "Not Using Zoom" to reflect the ToS change #Zoom just pushed.
https://the.webm.ink/not-using-zoom
tl;dr: Doesn't seem to really fix the issue.

2023-08-07 17:48:26 UTC

Zoom's ToS just changed.
https://explore.zoom.us/en/terms/
10.4 has had the addition "Notwithstanding the above, Zoom will not use audio, video or chat Customer Content to train our artificial intelligence models without your consent."
No word about the other issues.
#Zoom

2023-08-07 17:19:44 UTC

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@npub16a3…9dah And lawyers - loads of official use as well.

2023-08-07 15:23:08 UTC

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@npub15r6…dd9a And uploads. Don't forget the uploads.

2023-08-07 15:22:17 UTC

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@npub1h8j…m0fw The ends of a carnival costume?

2023-08-07 15:11:58 UTC

Seems #Zoom would rather we ignored section 10 of its Terms of Service and just read the nice marketing words on its blog.
https://blog.zoom.us/zooms-term-service-ai/
I'll still go by the ToS thanks
https://the.webm.ink/not-using-zoom

2023-08-07 13:22:04 UTC

I made a page so I can explain to clients why I'm not using #Zoom.
https://the.webm.ink/not-using-zoom

2023-08-06 17:12:08 UTC

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@npub15du…ntxn
In addition to all this, in 10.6 you "represent and warrant that you have the right to upload Customer Input and for Zoom to provide, create, or make available any Customer Content to you, and that such use or provision by you, your End User, or Zoom does not violate or infringe any rights of any third party."
So you are basically indemnifying them if they train their AI with someone else's IP you are discussing internally via Zoom.

2023-08-06 14:28:34 UTC

I have updated "On Choosing Freedom" to address open-washing.
https://the.webm.ink/on-choosing-freedom
#OpenSource #SoftwareFreedom

2023-08-05 12:29:52 UTC

I would have more patience for the argument that #OpenSource is dead were it not for the fact the people making the argument are benefiting from huge quantities of the stuff and would rather their customers didn't benefit from the same #SoftwareFreedom

2023-08-05 09:24:29 UTC

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@npub1up6…5rqj
Isn't the author still an executive at one of those aforementioned opportunists?
I thought @npub1y0w…k6sx wrote a fine response. https://redmonk.com/sogrady/2023/08/03/why-opensource-matters/
@npub1n70…qpfe

2023-08-05 09:21:21 UTC

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@npub1asg…p40g
This is the response I would have written.
https://redmonk.com/sogrady/2023/08/03/why-opensource-matters/
@npub1n70…qpfe

2023-07-21 12:46:04 UTC

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@npub1u5w…gt5u Strong words, and you may be right (I have not decided). Yet the dismissal in the Stability AI case seems based on it (not on those words obviously).
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-judge-finds-flaws-artists-lawsuit-against-ai-companies-2023-07-19/

2023-07-20 16:39:17 UTC

The UK government wants input on its ideas to make the Investigatory Powers Act even more invasive on everyone's liberty. Deadline is 31 July. You can read more and respond here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/revised-investigatory-powers-act-notices-regimes-consultation
Apple already said it would withdraw Facetime and iMessage in the UK if the changes proceed:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66256081
#UKPol #Surveillance #Encryption #Privacy

2023-07-19 19:20:01 UTC

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@npub1q7k…c5yf
Exhibit A:
https://www.openpetition.eu/petition/online/eu-companies-call-for-a-new-commission-focussing-on-europes-digital-strategic-autonomy
@npub1mrv…36kq @npub1rg2…g6sm @npub1k8d…5h2l @npub10ad…tvms

2023-07-19 12:37:17 UTC

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@npub1mrv…36kq
I very much suspect it's lobbying by certain European telecoms companies that has caused this, wearing their "open source commitment" as a badge of authority. Naturally none of the Commission folk are saying.
@npub1rg2…g6sm @npub1k8d…5h2l @npub10ad…tvms

2023-07-19 11:27:51 UTC

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@npub1rg2…g6sm
Unfortunately the late changes ITRE made seem to make things worse, not better. As they are now final texts, that means we are going forward with a bill that makes regular donations to projects like @npub1k8d…5h2l turn them into commercial projects and which discourages companies contributing to #OpenSource (#FreeSoftware). It looks a real mess to me.
@npub10ad…tvms

2023-06-20 08:40:00 UTC

We need apply social framing to #OpenSource if we are to address the issues we see around sustainability, ethical use and corporate annexation of our movement.
https://the.webm.ink/getting-back-to-a-social-frame
#FOSS #FLOSS