GNOME Foundation Retains Software Freedom Law Center

The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC), provider of pro-bono legal services to protect and advance Free and Open Source Software, today announced the addition of a new client, the GNOME Foundation. The GNOME Foundation supports the development of the open source GNOME Desktop Environment, a user interface used by millions of people around the world and distributed with all major versions of Linux and Unix.

"We are excited to have retained the services of the Software Freedom Law Center," said Anne Østergaard, Vice Chair of the GNOME Foundation Board. "As SFLC's client, we now have access to legal advice from trusted professionals who devote their full attention to Free and Open Source Software."

As a client of SFLC, the GNOME Foundation can receive advice regarding a variety of legal issues, including patent and trademark issues.

"GNOME is one of the most important projects for everyday users of free software systems," said James Vasile, SFLC Counsel. "I am pleased to welcome the GNOME Foundation as SFLC's client."

With proper legal advice, open source projects can lessen potential legal risks to users, developers, and distributors of the software.

In the past, the Software Freedom Law Center has offered the GNOME Foundation strategic advice through its seat on the GNOME Foundation's Advisory Board. SFLC will continue to serve in this capacity, in addition to offering direct legal advice to GNOME.