Copyleft-next Relaunched

SFC Provides Infrastructure for License Drafting Project

July 1, 2025

Software Freedom Conservancy is pleased to announce its logistical and resource support of the copyleft-next project. Copyleft-next was relaunched this week by Richard Fontana and our own policy fellow, Bradley M. Kuhn. Fontana and Kuhn announced the relaunch to honor the many copyleft historical milestones recently: the eighteenth anniversary of GPLv3's publication this past Sunday, the thirty-fourth anniversary of GPLv2's publication in June, and the thirteenth anniversary of Fontana's original launch of copyleft-next this week.

SFC is known for our extensive work in compliance and enforcement with copyleft licenses. We believe that the thoughtful development of licensing options for projects is an essential aspect to the success of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

SFC will provide server hosting for the Forgejo instance and Git repository and mailing list hosting. Additionally, SFC staff will be given time in their schedules to contribute to the project. (Pursuant to the copyleft-next project guidelines, all contributions will be made in employee's individual capacities — even if done on staff time.)

SFC is excited to see this work restarted and revitalized and we encourage everyone to follow the project on its mailing list and the Fediverse.