Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

League for Programming Freedom
     
         (LPF) A grass-roots organisation of professors,
        students, businessmen, programmers and users dedicated to
        bringing back the freedom to write programs.  Ten years ago,
        programmers were allowed to write programs using all the
        techniques they knew, and providing whatever features they
        felt were useful.  This is no longer the case.  The new
        monopolies, {software patents} and {interface copyrights},
        have taken away our freedom of expression and our ability to
        do a good job.
     
        "{Look and feel}" lawsuits attempt to monopolise well-known
        command languages; some have succeeded.  Copyrights on command
        languages enforce gratuitous incompatibility, close
        opportunities for competition, and stifle incremental
        improvements.
     
        {Software patents} are even more dangerous; they make every
        design decision in the development of a program carry a risk
        of a lawsuit, with draconian pre-trial seizure.  It is
        difficult and expensive to find out whether the techniques you
        consider using are patented; it is impossible to find out
        whether they will be patented in the future.
     
        The League is not opposed to the legal system that Congress
        intended -- {copyright} on individual programs.  Our aim is to
        reverse the recent changes made by judges in response to
        special interests, often explicitly rejecting the public
        interest principles of the Constitution.
     
        The League works to abolish the new monopolies by publishing
        articles, talking with public officials, boycotting egregious
        offenders, and in the future may intervene in court cases.  On
        1989-05-24, the League picketed {Lotus} headquarters on
        account of their lawsuits, and then again on 2 August 1990.
        These marches stimulated widespread media coverage for the
        issue.  We welcome suggestions for other activities, as well
        as help in carrying them out.
     
        Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for
        programmers, managers and professionals; $10.50 for students;
        $21 for others.  The League's funds will be used for filing
        briefs; for printing handouts, buttons and signs; whatever
        will persuade the courts, the legislators, and the people.
        You may not get anything personally for your dues -- except
        for the freedom to write programs.  The League is a non-profit
        corporation, but not considered a tax-exempt charity.
        However, for those self-employed in software, the dues can be
        a business expense.
     
        The League needs both activist members and members who only
        pay their dues.  We also greatly need additional corporate
        members; contact us for information.
     
        Jack Larsen is President, Chris Hofstader is Secretary, and
        Steve Sisak is Treasurer.
     
        {Home (http://lpf.ai.mit.edu/)}.
     
        Telephone: +1 (617) 243 4091.
     
        E-mail: .
     
        Address: League for Programming Freedom, 1 Kendall Square
        #143, P.O.Box 9171, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 USA.
     
        (1999-02-18)