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+ Protect Your Freedom to Write Programs
+ Join the League for Programming Freedom
+ (Version of February 3, 1994)
+
+Ten years ago, programmers were allowed to write programs using all
+the techniques they knew, and providing whatever features they felt
+were useful. This is no longer the case. New monopolies, known as
+software patents and interface copyrights, have taken away our freedom
+of expression and our ability to do a good job.
+
+"Look and feel" lawsuits attempt to monopolize well-known command
+languages; some have succeeded. Copyrights on command languages
+enforce gratuitous incompatibility, close opportunities for
+competition, and stifle incremental improvements.
+
+Software patents are even more dangerous; they make every design
+decision in the development of a program carry a risk of a lawsuit,
+with draconian pretrial seizure. It is difficult and expensive to
+find out whether the techniques you consider using are patented; it is
+impossible to find out whether they will be patented in the future.
+
+The League for Programming Freedom is a grass-roots organization of
+professors, students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to
+bringing back the freedom to write programs. The League is not
+opposed to the legal system that Congress expressly established for
+software--copyright on individual programs. Our aim is to reverse the
+recent changes that prevent programmers from doing their work.
+
+The League works to abolish the new monopolies by publishing articles,
+talking with public officials, denouncing egregious offenders, and
+filing amicus curiae briefs, most notably against Lotus in its suit
+against Borland. We testified twice at the recent Patent Office
+hearings on software patents. We welcome suggestions for other
+activities, as well as help in carrying them out.
+
+Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for programmers,
+managers and professionals; $10.50 for students; $21 for others.
+Please give more if you can. The League's funds will be used for
+filing briefs; for printing handouts, buttons and signs; whatever will
+persuade the courts, the legislators, and the people. You may not get
+anything personally for your dues--except for the freedom to write
+programs. The League is a non-profit corporation, but not considered
+a tax-exempt charity. However, for those self-employed in software,
+the dues can be a business expense.
+
+The League needs both activist members and members who only pay their
+dues. We also greatly need additional corporate members; contact us
+for information.
+
+If you have any questions, please write to the League, phone
++1 617 621 7084, or send Internet mail to lpf@uunet.uu.net.
+
+ Chris Hofstader, President
+ Dean Anderson, Secretary
+ Aubrey Jaffer, Treasurer
+
+Chris Hofstader can be reached at (617) 492-0023; FAX (617) 497-1632.
+\fTo join, please send a check and the following information to:
+
+ League for Programming Freedom
+ 1 Kendall Square #143
+ P.O.Box 9171
+ Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
+
+(Outside the US, please send a check in US dollars on a bank
+having a US correspondent bank, to save us check cashing fees.)
+
+Your name:
+
+
+The address for League mailings, a few each year; please indicate
+whether it is your home address or your work address:
+
+
+
+The company you work for, and your position:
+
+
+Your phone numbers (home, work or both):
+
+
+Your email address, so we can contact you for demonstrations or for
+writing letters. (If you don't want us to contact you for these
+things, please say so, but please give us your email address anyway
+so we can save paper and postage by sending you the newsletter by email.)
+
+
+Is there anything about you which would enable your endorsement of the
+LPF to impress the public? For example, if you are or have been a
+professor or an executive, or have written software that has a good
+reputation, please tell us.
+
+
+
+Would you like to help with LPF activities?
+
+
+
+
+The corporate charter of the League for Programming Freedom states:
+
+ The purpose of the corporation is to engage in the following
+ activities:
+
+ 1. To determine the existence of, and warn the public about
+ restrictions and monopolies on classes of computer programs where such
+ monopolies prevent or restrict the right to develop certain types of
+ computer programs.
+
+ 2. To develop countermeasures and initiatives, in the public interest,
+ effective to block or otherwise prevent or restrain such monopolistic
+ activities including education, research, publications, public
+ assembly, legislative testimony, and intervention in court proceedings
+ involving public interest issues (as a friend of the court).
+
+ 3. To engage in any business or other activity in service of and
+ related to the foregoing paragraphs that lawfully may be carried on
+ by a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts
+ General Laws.
+
+The officers and directors of the League will be elected annually by
+the members.
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