The guru of free software, Richard Stallman, who developed free operating systems used on millions of computers today, will be speaking at the
University of Pittsburgh this Friday.
Stallman, who launched a project called GNU, will speak on the topic of "Copyright vs. Community in the Age of Computer Networks." The subject is a timely one in an age when everyone is an author online and the "fair use" of words and what it means is often wide open for those who seek greater control of the internet.
Copyrights used to expire after a few years; now some corporations want them to last forever to protect their revenue streams on copyrighted works. Stallman continues to influence this conversation with an eye toward protecting computer users' freedom and making software more conducive to a genuine education.
"The global corporations that profit from copyright are lobbying for draconian punishments for copyright violations and to increase their copyright powers while suppressing public access to technology," says Stallman. "If we seriously hope to serve the only legitimate purpose of copyright-- to promote progress for the benefit of the public -- then we must make changes in the other direction."
Stallman will speak at the University of Pittsburgh William Pitt Union, Lower Lounge, on Friday, February 19 from 1-3 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public. He has received the ACM Grace Hopper Award, a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer award, and the Takeda Award for Social/Economic Betterment, as well as several honorary doctorates.
Writer:
Deb Smit and Elaine LaBalme
Source: Richard Stallman
Image courtesy of Richard StallmanSign up to receive Pop City each week.