This webinar will be devoted to the presentation of practices and tools used to involve lawyers in Open Source compliance procedures.

Due to the high level of technical nature and complexity of such a compliance approach, it is necessary to think overall about new collective solutions and to adapt interdisciplinary internal processes based on the automation and traceability of decisions taken. These new collaborative practices must therefore be questioned, particularly through their compatibility with the current roles of lawyers or in-house counsel.

These are all issues that need to be reinvented to meet the needs of end-users of Open Source and also those of legal professionals. The objective of this webinar will be to raise the points mentioned above by illustrating them with concrete situations discussing the subject of Open Source Compliance. Through this empirical and situated approach, we will lead the participants to explore different avenues and complete a roadmap sharing good practices regarding compliance.


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Read the synthesis of the workshop session !


Universities and other research organisations are significant users and producers of open source software. In relation to compliance (and making life easier for everyone!) key questions for research organization are if and how the research community, in particular researchers but also the IP managers (Tech transfer officers and IP managers), want to and can contribute to supporting and socializing compliance and other Open Source compliance activities. Questions that this Workshop/webinar will work on are:

  • What are the Research Organisations’ challenges and worries in this area? Do they have shared concerns that need shared response?
  • Can Research Organisations engage with the other stakeholders and participate in this activity? Could this type of activity (and tools required for it) be seen as a research project and the results are publicly contrasted and verified licensing compliance information? What liability could they be incurring?
  • What processes and tools to Research Organisations currently use for compliance work ?
  • How can Research Organisations best participate: is it an accessory activity to the main research and Technology or Knowledge Transfer activity? Or can be it a core part of the R+D plan? Can Research Organisations build a network of trust (or institution of trust) among them to rely on results?
  • Technological, are there and can they ensure harmonized formats and reusable information for this purpose?

All in all, we aim to discuss together what Research Organisations need to be able to participate in this process and how best can they contribute.


Join our forum to start the discussion and access the resources we share !


Read the synthesis of the workshop session !


Public Administrations have different problems than private entities in managing the legal compliance of free software / open source: they have different rules to comply with (e.g. on the selection of service providers, spending rules, etc.).

But Public Administrations also have a different position (and culture) with respect to the generation of common goods and specific rules that favour collaboration and sharing.

Nevertheless, Public Administrations lag behind in organising and coordinating themselves and have much to learn in the legal management of free software / open source, although the need for improvement is increasingly felt, especially by the most innovative Public Administrations.

The seminar will explore how Public Administrations can work together, linking Open Source Public Offices (OSPOs), to foster open management of free software legal compliance (verifying licence compatibility, etc.) and community generation to foster the development, distribution and use of free software.


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The aim of the plenary session is to conclude our 14th edition of EOLE by allowing people to share their experiences and discuss a roadmap for establishing common practices. This plenary session will take place during the Open Source Experience (OSXP) event at the Palais des Congrès in Paris from 6 to 7 December. Access to the event is free. Our plenary session will be held at the Palais des Congrès, in Paris, on 7 December from 14:00 to 18:00.

Meet us in room 124/125 to share your experiences on Open Source compliance.

  • From 13:30 to 14:00 - Welcoming with coffee and tea
  • From 14:00 to 14:10 - Introduction and context of the event
  • From 14:10 to 15:00 - Getting lawyers to work together in an Open Source compliance approach
  • From 15:00 to 15:50 - Open Source Compliance in research and academia: what can they contribute?
  • From 16:10 to 17:00 - Open Source legal compliance and public administrations
  • From 17:00 to 17:50 - Roadmap to establish common practices
  • From 17:50 to 18:00 - Conclusion

Join our forum to start the discussion and access the resources we share !