The European regulators listened to the Open Source communities!

OSH@lemmy.ml to Open Source@lemmy.ml – 218 points –
The European regulators listened to the Open Source communities!
blog.opensource.org
12

Could someone explain what happened to me like im 5 please?

This time last year OSI recommended that the CRA:

…exclude all activities prior to commercial deployment of the software and … clearly ensure that responsibility for CE marks does not rest with any actor who is not a direct commercial beneficiary of deployment.

That recommendation has been accepted and implemented, and the OSI is very grateful to the various experts who took the time to listen.

My ELI5 version is: The European government were making a rule where software makers can be punished for not following European standards and need a special mark of compliance. Open source organizations argued that the standards shouldn't be held against any group until a software is sold, and volunteer/non-profit groups shouldn't have to follow the standard. The Parliament listened and implemented this change to the draft rule.

Thats both awesome news and a great explanation. Thanks a lot!

What happens if you accept donations for maintaining a project?

Good question. I don't know the specifics but, that's probably where the nuances of "commercial beneficiary of deployment" come into play and beyond the scope of my 5 year-old level explanation. I'd say probably not if it's optional donations.

Engaging with your elected representatives matters. Voting matters. Keep it up (and your other political activity outside of voting/writing, too)!