Transparency Through Empowerment

Files amicus curiae briefs in landmark U.S. Supreme Court and federal cases to shape legal precedent on issues critical to free software, including API copyrightability, fair use, software patent eligibility, and design patent damages. Also initiates direct legal action, such as trademark cancellation proceedings, and defends against invalid patents through reexamination.

Founded a Code of Conduct practice to help FOSS projects create and administer community policies and serve as mediators in disputes. Established a graduate legal fellowship with Columbia Law School, founded SFLC.in in India for Internet freedom training, and created the Free Software Support Network to provide fiscal sponsorship for emerging FOSS projects.

Produces in-depth legal publications including a primer on legal issues in FOSS development, a guide to GPL compliance, whitepapers on copyleft in regulated industries like automotive software, and documentation on copyright interactions in software distribution.

Engages in independent reimplementation of software APIs and develops free software tools licensed under copyleft terms to ensure user rights to study, copy, modify, and share software.

Organizes an annual conference on legal issues in free and open source software at Columbia Law School, offering Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits to New York attorneys. Makes video, audio, and transcripts of sessions publicly available online.

Drives industry-wide adoption of GPLv3’s “notice and cure” license termination provisions across companies using GPLv2-licensed software, including Red Hat, Google, IBM, Microsoft, and others. Played a foundational role in the legal campaign against API copyrightability, culminating in the Supreme Court's decision in Google v. Oracle.

Offers comprehensive legal support to major FOSS communities such as the Free Software Foundation, Linux Foundation, Debian, Ethereum, Apache Software Foundation, and OpenSSL. Services include trademark registration and defense, entity formation, tax-exempt status assistance, contract drafting, governance guidance, and dispute resolution related to software use and development.

Represents U.S. civil society at global policy discussions, including OECD ministerial panels on internet openness, providing legal expertise on digital economy policy and Internet freedom.

Engages in direct efforts to enhance AI education and restore digital trust, as reported in IRS Form 990.

Engages in policy advocacy before major tech platforms and international regulatory bodies, including submissions to Meta's Oversight Board and EU AI governance working groups. Focus areas include AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery, synthetic media in elections, and transparency rules under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.

Supports activists in documenting environmental violations, police brutality, and state violence through audiovisual technology, including verification of video from conflict zones and countering AI-fueled disinformation related to climate change and accountability.

Conducts and publishes research on deepfakes, synthetic media, and their societal impacts, including reports such as “Just Joking: Deepfakes, Satire, and the politics of Synthetic media” (2021) and articles on deepfake labeling and synthetic media governance (2023).

Provides training, tools, and practical guidance to individuals and activist groups on using video and technology to document human rights abuses, with a focus on strengthening the credibility and evidentiary value of such documentation. Includes support for detecting AI-generated deception and verifying video from conflict zones.

Funds legal expenses for AI safety whistleblowers, including attorney fees, court costs, discovery expenses, and technical consultant fees related to disclosure, litigation, and retaliation defense. Also provides limited financial assistance to supporters such as family members, colleagues, journalists, and attorneys involved in these cases.

Engages in legal advocacy to ensure scientific and technological advances are safe for people and the planet, including filing amicus briefs in key cases such as defending California's AI Training Data Transparency Act (AB 2013) in the Ninth Circuit.

Provides pro bono legal advice to AI safety whistleblowers on whistleblowing procedures and impact litigation, and assists clients in securing legal representation and support services. Also extends attorney-client privilege to initial outreach communications with potential whistleblowers, even before formal retention.

Provides legal information to the public through its website, supporting awareness and understanding of legal issues related to safe science and technology development.

Supports California’s Artificial Intelligence Transparency Act by publishing policy recommendations aligned with its requirements, particularly regarding LLM-backed generative AI systems. Provides reusable advocacy materials—including template letters and documents in LaTeX, Markdown, and PDF formats—to enable public engagement with legislators on SB 1000 and similar bills.