[Debconf4] Re: SPI Workshop at Debconf4

[Benj. Mako Hill]

On Thu, May 13, 2004 at 11:24:16PM +0530, Mahesh T. Pai wrote:
> Benj. Mako Hill said on Tue, May 11, 2004 at 03:08:31AM +0200,:
> 
>  >  - Supporting Debian outside of the US: SPI is based in the United
>  >    States and can only offer tax benefits to individuals donating
>  >    there. How can Debian/SPI work with other organizations, existing
>  >    or new, to give the same level of support outside of the US? What
>  >    has worked in the past and how can it be expanded and improved?
> 
> Should/can the SPI have a branch/chapter/affiliates in other (non US)
> countries is the ideal way of  asking this question.

Sure. I can update people on what the current status is.  We can then
work, during the BOF and after, to come with answers/proposals along
these lines that we can present to the SPI board and community.

> The Debian community has to decide whether the term `debian' has any
> monetary (or non monetary) value for itself, that is, the community.
> 
> Trademark or no trademark, if we perceive it to have *any* kind of
> value, and if we remain mute spectators to (mis) use by others, our
> rights will be eroded.
> 
> Hence, the current policy of having two logos and allowing
> unrestricted use of one, calling it the `unofficial logo' and
> imposing conditions on use of the other, is a very wise idea.

The logo license does not give unrestricted use. It gives open use
*while referring to Debian.* We'll have people with legal experience
at Debconf to talk about this.

>  >  - Debian/SPI relationship: Some people, including the president
>  >  of SPI, have suggested that a new "Debian Foundation" should
>  >  replace or emerge from SPI. Other have argued that it's just a
>  >  name change and can be accomplished within the current framework
>  >  -- or that little needs to change at all.
> 
> I'm not a member of either ...

You can become a contributing member of SPI relatively easily if
you've contributed to a Free Software project.

> If SPI is not limited to supporting the creation and distribution of
> a free operating systems, *and* if the other activities of this body
> conflict with those objective, there is a conflict of interest, and
> we require two organisations.  If there is no such conflict, what is
> the need for two bodies?  Are there any administrative difficulties?

Those are great questions and there are ones I hope to address in PoA.

Regards,
Mako



-- 
Benjamin Mako Hill
mako at debian.org
http://mako.yukidoke.org/

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