I’m an open source and IP lawyer. I’ve spent my entire career helping open source organizations and helping clients understand open source communities and licenses.
I have been the chair of the Python Software Foundation, on the board at the PSF, and general counsel of the PSF. I was also on the board at the OpenStack Foundation. Along the way, I’ve also helped many other foundations and projects.
I am one of the few people who has drafted a new license (the CAL) *and* gone all the way through the OSI review process to get it certified as open source.
I am also at the leading edge of AI legal issues, having worked in or helping on some of the first cases.
How will you contribute to the board
Practically, I have 15 years of experience with open source boards, so I can help on the day-to-day. There should also always be someone legally trained on the board. Pam Chestek is serving that role now, but her term will end next year. I would be able to provide continuity.
Why you should be elected
I am extremely concerned about the increasing misuse of the term “open source” around AI. I want to focus on this urgent issue.
I know that there is an effort underway to define “open source AI.” I support that effort. But we know enough to know that some of what is being misleadingly called “open source AI” is not.
Many people work in open source generally, but my work frequently focuses on the the open source definition specifically. I want to help keep it distinct and valuable.