Institute of IT Professionals New Zealand

Richard Stallman on Software Patents

In this insightful discussion, international Free Software advocate Richard Stallman (RMS) will argue that software patents seriously and significantly obstruct software development.

Software patents are patents that cover software ideas. Stallman will argue that they restrict the development of software to the point that the risk of legal action as a result of design decisions is dramatically raised. Stallman will also make the point that patents in other fields restrict factories, but in IT, software patents restrict every computer user and consumer.

Stallman will also present some of the international research and economic data related to this issue.

Light refreshments provided.

About The Speaker

Richard Stallman is a software developer and software freedom activist.

In 1983 he announced the project to develop the GNU operating system, a Unix-like operating system meant to be entirely free software, and has been the project's leader ever since. With that announcement Stallman also launched the Free Software Movement. In October 1985 he started the Free Software Foundation.

Full profile here (and here).

Registration Details:

Registration is free but essential. Places are limited - please register below to secure your place.