EOLE 2025 – Call for proposals

As regions worldwide increasingly focus on their strategic autonomy, we aim to explore the critical interplay between Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and these sovereignty goals. This conference will examine how FOSS and strategic autonomy can be mutually supportive, drawing insights not only from European initiatives but also from comparable efforts in other countries, cities, regions or organisations.

Recent legislative packages, including regulations like the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the AI Act in Europe, reflect broader governmental strategies aimed at shaping the digital future. We seek to understand the full scope of these regulatory ambitions, not just from the legislators’ viewpoint, but also by examining the practices of multinational corporations. For instance, many influential open source companies are headquartered outside Europe, often in the US, yet operate globally. Their approaches to developing and distributing Open Source, alongside the local regulatory constraints they face, present both opportunities and challenges. This conference will critically assess how these corporate strategies and geopolitical factors interact with regional sovereignty objectives and the core principles of the global FOSS ecosystem.

We are looking for contributions to topics such as:

• The role of FOSS in achieving regional strategic autonomy over critical digital infrastructures.
• The impact of comprehensive regulatory strategies (in Europe or elsewhere) on FOSS development, global supply chains, and legal responsibilities.
• How the business models and licensing choices of major international FOSS players affect competition, innovation, and sovereignty.
• “Open Source first” policies and their effectiveness in balancing local needs with global collaboration.
• Navigating the tensions and synergies between global FOSS communities, the practices of multinational tech companies, and regional sovereignty imperatives.
• Legal frameworks for aligning FOSS with strategic autonomy, while fostering open, competitive, and fair digital markets.

The EOLE conference aims to bring together lawyers, policymakers, tech experts, academics, and community members. We welcome talks that offer legal insights, analyses of corporate practices, policy ideas, or practical advice. Our goal is to understand how Open Source can be a key component in building strategic autonomy worldwide, by critically examining the interactions between regulatory frameworks, corporate influence, community dynamics, security considerations, and the ethical use of technology, all while upholding the spirit of openness.

Practical information : International annual conference cycle, the European Open Source & Free Software Law Event (EOLE) aims to promote the share and dissemination of legal knowledge related to free software, as well as the development and promotion of good practices. Initiative born in 2008 from practitioners’ needs, EOLE has for purpose to develop a legal doctrine dedicated to the dissemination of neutral and qualitative information. In 2025, EOLE’s focus will be on open source and sovereignty. For this new event, we will welcome you to the UPF in Barcelona during the first week of November!