Free Software, Free Society

Abstract

Free Software, Free Society: Selected Essays of Richard M. Stallman is a book by Joshua Gay compiling different essays of Richard M. Stallman. * The intersection of ethics, law, business and computer software is the subject of these essays and speeches by MacArthur Foundation Grant winner, Richard M. Stallman. This collection includes historical writings such as The GNU Manifesto, which defined and launched the activist Free Software Movement, along with new writings on hot topics in copyright, patent law, and the controversial issue of "trusted computing." Stallman takes a critical look at common abuses of copyright law and patents when applied to computer software programs, and how these abuses damage our entire society and remove our existing freedoms. He also discusses the social aspects of software and how free software can create community and social justice. * The first edition was published 8 years ago by GNU Press under the GNU Free Documentation License. * Essays contained in this book deal mainly about ethics, law, business and their application to computer software. * The introduction is written by Lawrence Lessig, professor at Stanford University. * The book is divided into three main parts, and also includes a fourth one with GNU licenses: [1] The GNU Project and the Free Software Foundation, [2] Copyrights, Copylefts and Patents, [3] Creating a Free Society, [4] GNU Licenses. * Money raised from the sale of this book supports the development of free software and documentation.