Re: [gentoo-project] Merging Trustees and Council / Developers and Foundation

["William L. Thomson Jr." <wlt-ml@o-sinc.com>]

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On Thursday, January 5, 2017 10:56:49 PM EST Michał Górny wrote:
> 
> Well, this kind of superficial description does not raise any immediate
> concerns. However, the devil's in the detail, and if you really want
> comments, you should start providing some.

For such major changes it may not be practical to lay out all the details. Do 
politicians every lay out ever detail of their agenda? To an extent you need 
to trust the judgement of those elected. If they do not represent your 
interest and point of view, elect another or run yourself.

> As far as I understand, this would effectively require every developer
> to be a member of the Foundation. I think that Foundation membership is
> more legally binding than 'being a developer = having commit access'.

An indemnity clause or something to that effect should be suffice to transfer 
any and all liability from the individual to the Foundation. Which the 
Foundation is already liable for actions of developers, foundation member or 
not.

> One thing I'm particular worried about is the potential of 'US
> embargo'. What if a particular developer/recruit is/will not be legally
> allowed to be a member of Gentoo Foundation?

Interesting point, but I do not see that as being so much of an issue, even if 
from a "terrorist or hostile" state, or other bad actor. Given Gentoo is a 
FOSS project, and most if not all will be made public or could be upon 
request. I could see more legal liability to developers who can commit vs 
foundation member who can do what?

Unless Gentoo is allowing someone to do something nefarious and not 
transparently. I do not see this as being an issue. If you can create a 
Facebook, Twitter, and other accounts from other countries. Then membership in 
Gentoo should not be much of a deal. It is not like you get anything being a 
member at this time. If there was a majority in a hostile state, maybe.

Keep in mind the US is founded on freedom of speech. An open source project 
could be argued along the same lines as freedom of speech and expression. Not 
to mention an argument could be made for technical benefit of all, etc.

Unless you live in say Iran, or North Korea, I am not sure it is an issue for 
most. Quite many projects have members in other countries.

For example
https://www.firebirdsql.org/en/members/

Several are in Russia, and some in the US are not to happy with Russia :)

-- 
William L. Thomson Jr.

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