About the Association For Free Software

We are a membership organisation which promotes Free Software to users, business and government. Our aims work towards continuing Free Software for the UK and increasing public understanding of Free Software.

The term refers to four kinds of freedom for the users of a program:

• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose;
• The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (Access to the source code is a precondition for this);
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour;
• The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (Access to the source code is a precondition for this).

AFFS recognises a program as free software if its users have all of these freedoms.

The constitution of the Association for Free Software sets out five aims,

1. to promote and advance the knowledge, development, use and application of Free Software pioneered by the Free Software Foundation and others.
2. to facilitate the exchange of information and views on the use and development of Free Software.
3. to inform upon the subject of Free Software.
4. to encourage internationalisation and localisation of Free Software.
5. to ensure the continued legal existence of Free Software within the United Kingdom.

The full constitution is available online in plain text: Text of AFFS Constitution (21k)

Operation

The Association for Free Software is an Unincorporated Association at present. It is controlled by its members, through meetings and resolutions and acts within the terms of its constitution. Members are invited to help with particular tasks and can ask AFFS for help. Between meetings, newsletters and email discussion lists are the main forms of contact. They are described on the membership page.

Day-to-day running is coordinated by a committee elected annually by the members.

Associates

AFFS is an associate organisation of FSF Europe. We collect UK donations at their request.