Hi there,
In spain, we have a branch of the Free Software Foundation. The branch is actually unnoficial in the sense it have not legal status.
Despite of this, we are working hard to offer the FSF services in a local-useful manner (in spanish, for example :). In fact, the branch work is to be a front-end to the FSF.
Our relation with the Free Software Foundation is good and the communication is constant.
You can see our web page: http://fsf.eui.upm.es
(The FSF will put the domain name www.es.gnu.org and www.es.fsf.org for us)
A FSF Europe would be a very good think, and perhaps in the future our branch will be able to switch to this.
Perhaps a good local model would be to set up local FSF branchs, as in Spain, and then (in a bottom-up manner) make the legal infrastructure to make an european organization, that would group the branchs. I it is better than the reverse model (first make the global organization and then the branchs).
Saludos,
Jose Eugenio Marchesi (jemarch@fsf.eui.upm.es) Coordinador General FSF/GNU Madrid (Spain)
Jose Eugenio Marchesi a écrit :
Hi there,
In spain, we have a branch of the Free Software Foundation. The branch is actually unnoficial in the sense it have not legal status.
Despite of this, we are working hard to offer the FSF services in a local-useful manner (in spanish, for example :). In fact, the branch work is to be a front-end to the FSF.
Our relation with the Free Software Foundation is good and the communication is constant.
I think we can say that the situation is similar in France, where APRIL (www.april.org) is a strong partner of the FSF each time it is involved in activities in France.
We do not (at the present time) represent officially the FSF in france, even if we are often considered as theire representatives here.
One point to note, APRIL is a long time (founded in '96) organized and legally establish non-profit association.
Perhaps a good local model would be to set up local FSF branchs, as in Spain, and then (in a bottom-up manner) make the legal infrastructure to make an european organization, that would group the branchs. I it is better than the reverse model (first make the global organization and then the branchs).
This may be as a very efficient way to do in order to deal with the legal aspects of founding associations/organizations with respect to the law aspects, but a "mothership" is still necessary, for communication aspects, and to boost / drive the global effort.