Richard Stallman to speak at Cabrillo Feb. 4

APTOS — Challenging the copyright system and offering insights into how we can change it — for the better — is the objective of Richard Stallman’s presentation "Copyright vs. Community in the Age of Computer Networks."

Sponsored jointly by the Cabrillo College Computer and Information Systems Department
and the Cabrillo College GNU/Linux Users Group, this free presentation promises to spark a lively, open debate. It will be held on Monday, Feb. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Erica Schilling Forum, Building 450, on Cabrillo’s Aptos campus.

“Copyright developed in the age of the printing press, and was designed to fit with the
system of centralized copying imposed by the printing press," Stallman said. "But the copyright system does not fit well with computer networks, and only draconian punishments can enforce it…if we seriously hope to serve the only legitimate purpose of copyright—to promote progress, for the benefit of the public—then we must make changes in the other direction."

Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, launched the development of the GNU
operating system in 1984. He has received the ACM Grace Hopper Award, a MacArthur
Foundational fellowship, the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Pioneer award, and the Takeda
Award for Social/Economic Betterment, as well as several honorary doctorate degrees.

Admission and parking are free.

Because a large turnout is expected, registration is strongly recommended. Attendees can register by sending an email to: rms.cabrillo [at] gmail.com. More information is available at: http://www.cabrillo.edu/associations/clug/events.html or by calling 831-335-7303.