@:color.soft is a network of popular education, which has its origins in the education world, which is principally dedicated to free (as in free speech) software. It is collaboratively organized around three main issues: promotion, dissemination and development of free software, enhancement of open source culture, and an online platform of open services. ## For an open Internet The use of free software and open standards on the Internet is the main purpose of our project @:(html.dio). Access to source code is the cornerstone of open source principles. @:color.soft commits itself to place each application available in its projects under [free license](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.fr.html). In case of improvement of the code, @:color.soft commits itself to place the contribution under free license (compatible with the original license) and will encourage any voluntary contribution from users by inviting them to enter in contact with the author. @:color.soft commits itself to make the source code accessible, whether by publishing a link pointing to the official website of the application, or, if the latter is no longer available, by publishing the code in question on a repository. Doing this, @:color.soft demonstrates its probity by allowing every user to check the source code, to potentially improve it, and above all to ensure that no unfair use will be made of his data, identity, or rights. Users will then be able to knowingly use the available applications and learn about all their features, advantages, limits and possible uses. None of the data produced with the help of these applications belong to @:color.soft, who does not apply any copyright nor censors your content. However, any content that would be considered infringing or illegal by French law, once duly signaled, will be immediately deleted. ## For a decentralized Internet By offering open applications online, @:color.soft intends to promote alternative solutions to proprietary applications that some companies propose in order to achieve monopolies and make abusive use of personal data. These alternatives are examples of the diversity of available open-source solutions which can be used for personal or collective purpose. In this perspective, @:color.soft is commited to foster their dissemination by publishing tutorials explaining how to install these applications on your own server. Equal access to these applications is a strong commitment: by offering them for free, @:color.soft wishes to promote their use to the largest extent, and to give a proof of concept that a decentralized and egalitarian Internet is possible. ## For an ethical Internet The ethics of opensource software is about sharing and independence. @:color.soft commits itself to never practice any censorship of the contents, nor any surveillance of the actions of its users, and to never answer any administrative or authorities demands without a formal legal request. In return, users commit themselves, in production or hosting of their contents, to respect the frameworks provided by law. We do not practice any discrimation among users, so as to ensure the greatest accessibility. Personal data will not be exploited for commercial issues, or transmitted to a third party, nor used for purposes that are not specified in the present charter. However, users must be aware that their data might be rendered accessible, especially when they make them public in the context of a collaborative application. In this case, users remain responsible for their content. ## For an Internet of solidarity @:color.soft is a not-for-profit. Its volunteers and employees devote their time to ensure the continuity of the services offered to users. Our business model is based on mutualisation of energies and costs. Our services are free, but it does not mean they cost nothing. If a large number of supporters financially encouraged @:color.soft to maintain its services, an even larger number of persons would be able to use them, and they could even be improved. @:color.soft has a popular education approach, and thus shares as much knowledge as it can in order to promote the use of free software and teach users how to install free services on their servers. Sharing technical and cognitive ressources is what makes the Internet a common good, available for everyone and belonging to no one.
## The @:txt.soft association The @:html.soft association is a 1901 not-for-profit association whose character of general interest authorizes a tax deduction. Which shows its willingness to stay an association on a human scale (less than forty members, less than ten permanent staff).
Framasoft is a not-for-profit which can **only** keep running thanks to your donations. Do you like what we do? Do you think we’re going in the right direction? If so, and you’re able to make a donation, we’d very much appreciate it!
Charter of Free, Ethical, Decentralized and Solidarity Services,<br />approved by@:color.soft on October 6th 2014. Translation by Framalang contributors Théo, #!, goofy, Diane
Framasoft is a not-for-profit popular educational organization, a group of friends convinced that an emancipatory digital world is possible, convinced that it will arise through actual actions on real world and online with and for you!
## Code of conduct At Framasoft, we don’t like (and don’t believe in) intellectual property. But we live in a world that does, and need to protect ourselves and our work. So we have registered some trademarks (PeerTube, Mobilizon, Framasoft…), and here is what we pledge. ### 1. We don’t plan to attack Registering trademarks is a defensive move. It’s to protect our work both from people who might otherwise register the names we work hard to make known, and from those who would sully the names of the projects we are building with our values, political stances and passion. ### 2. Don’t Panic We will only use trademark law in last resort. We are not trademark trolls looking forward to extorting money though legal violence. We just want to protect the reputation of names we are working hard to make known. We really intend to settle any problem we might have with you by talking it out together. If you act in good faith, there’s no need to panic. We’re sure we will understand eachother and find an elegant solution. ### 3. Don’t fool people If you say, or imply that you are us or that you are the “official one”, we will use trademark law against you. If we start getting messages of people who think your actions come from us, we will contact you to talk and find a way to make it clear that you are you, and we are us. In our experience anyway, people are not fools, and honesty is a very powerful way to bond with them. We will use trademark law, in last resort and if needed, to protect this relationship of trust and honesty we have built with people. ### 4. Don’t be an asshole Really, it’s that simple. Being assholy includes things that are forbidden by French law (promoting Nazism and fascism, pedocriminality, endangering others, fake news…), especially discrimination (against sex, gender, race, religion, orientation, minorities… well, you know the drill…). If you are using names of things we’ve worked hard for to be an asshole, we will use trademark law against you. If you try to push the limits, want to test, provoke and question society, well good for you, but we don’t have time for this: don’t use our trademarks. If you think there are too many rules, or that it’s too complicated not to be an asshole: don’t use our trademarks. If you fear you might be an asshole without knowing it, by ignorance even though you try to keep yourself educated: you’ll be fine. ### 5. Let’s respect each other If you’re not sure, come and talk with us. If we have a problem we’ll try to come and talk to you first. If by using the names of our projects, your actions start to soak up our time and energy, if you’re giving us a bad name, we’ll definitely have a problem. To avoid that, just remember that there are people who worked hard to give the names you are using their honest reputation, and just respect that work. If we find ourselves having to answer for your actions, we’ll need to talk. When we talk together, if you’re trying to be a smart ass and negotiate every word, if you don’t want to hear and consider our position (be assured we always try to do the same with others), then we’ll probably settle our disagreement using trademark law. But we don’t want to, so let’s find a way to understand each other.
