Karen Sandler - Software Freedom Law Center
Speaking Topic: Legal Organizational Issues for Free Software Projects

Karen M. Sandler is an attorney with the Software Freedom Law Center and serves as an officer of the Software Freedom Conservancy. Prior to joining SFLC, she worked as an associate in the corporate departments of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in New York and Clifford Chance in New York and London. Sandler received her law degree from Columbia Law School in 2000, where she was a James Kent Scholar and co-founder of the Columbia Science and Technology Law Review. Sandler received her bachelor's degree in engineering from The Cooper Union.

Abstract

This talk will address common legal organizational issues facing free and open source software projects. The discussion will provide a background in nonprofit corporate and tax information, streamlined for helping developers evaluate how best to form and manage their organizations and activities. Different forms of organization will be discussed, including incorporated nonprofits, umbrella organizations and developers acting without legal form. Karen will also explore the obligations that individuals take on as they volunteer their time with these various types of organizations.