# Policy **URL:** https://forum.fossunited.org/c/policy/27.md [Latest](https://forum.fossunited.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.fossunited.org/categories.md) --- ## [Documenting Proprietary Software Tenders in Govt Services](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/documenting-proprietary-software-tenders-in-govt-services/4674)
**Author:** [@Anwesha\_Sen1](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Anwesha_Sen1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [1 September 2026 09:15 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/documenting-proprietary-software-tenders-in-govt-services/4674 "2026-09-01T09:15:33Z")
MeitY passed the “Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software for Government of India” in 2015 which mandated all software applications and services of the government to be built using OSS. However, government services co… --- ## [Technology+Policy course scholarship for FOSS devs](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/technology-policy-course-scholarship-for-foss-devs/1220)
**Author:** [@knadh](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/knadh)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [17 August 2026 12:36 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/technology-policy-course-scholarship-for-foss-devs/1220 "2026-08-17T12:36:30Z")
Data and privacy bills, cyber security regulations, increasing digitisation of public services, these aren’t just inevitable, but are already in full swing not just in India, but pretty much everywhere else in the world.… --- ## [Policy in Action Program (PAP) by Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC)](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/policy-in-action-program-pap-by-young-leaders-for-active-citizenship-ylac/7130)
**Author:** [@ansh](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/ansh)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [28 July 2026 11:28 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/policy-in-action-program-pap-by-young-leaders-for-active-citizenship-ylac/7130 "2026-07-28T11:28:24Z")
The FOSS United Foundation has been part of various efforts to encourage technologists to participate in Policy discussions. We continue to believe it is critical for technologists to not only keep up with what is happen… --- ## [About DROP and the Delete Act](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/about-drop-and-the-delete-act/6980)
**Author:** [@Ram\_Iyengar](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Ram_Iyengar)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [1 January 2026 03:59 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/about-drop-and-the-delete-act/6980 "2026-01-01T03:59:26Z")
New year, new perspectives. I’d love to get thoughts about what folks think about the current state of privacy laws, and this one in particular. --- ## [\[Event participation notes\] AI in the Public Interest: Local Data, Global Impact. Co-organized by Factly and Meta](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/event-participation-notes-ai-in-the-public-interest-local-data-global-impact-co-organized-by-factly-and-meta/6932)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [30 December 2025 09:08 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/event-participation-notes-ai-in-the-public-interest-local-data-global-impact-co-organized-by-factly-and-meta/6932 "2025-12-30T09:08:55Z")
AI in the Public Interest: Local Data, Global Impact, by Factly and Meta Factly, in collaboration with Meta, organized the “AI in the Public Interest: Local Data, Global Impact” event today, and they were kind enough to … --- ## [Indian Academia's Software Bill: What are our public universities paying to learn? | RTI shenanigans](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/indian-academias-software-bill-what-are-our-public-universities-paying-to-learn-rti-shenanigans/6693)
**Author:** [@ashlesh](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/ashlesh)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [30 December 2025 08:04 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/indian-academias-software-bill-what-are-our-public-universities-paying-to-learn-rti-shenanigans/6693 "2025-12-30T08:04:05Z")
We are setting out to map the software ecosystems that power teaching, research and admin in public sector universities in India. Prompted by multiple conversations over the year, we’ve drafted a set of questions (we are… --- ## [\[Placeholder\] Comments on Working Paper on GenerativeAI and Copyright by DPIIT, Govt. of India](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/placeholder-comments-on-working-paper-on-generativeai-and-copyright-by-dpiit-govt-of-india/6951)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [25 December 2025 18:20 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/placeholder-comments-on-working-paper-on-generativeai-and-copyright-by-dpiit-govt-of-india/6951 "2025-12-25T18:20:09Z")
This topic is a placeholder for comments on the Working Paper on GenerativeAI and Copyright by the DPIIT, Government of India. The Working Paper was published on December 8, and comments are expected within a month (Janu… --- ## [\[Event participation notes\] Our Digital Futures Fest by IT for Change](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/event-participation-notes-our-digital-futures-fest-by-it-for-change/6937)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [23 December 2025 19:48 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/event-participation-notes-our-digital-futures-fest-by-it-for-change/6937 "2025-12-23T19:48:45Z")
Our Digital Futures Fest by IT for Change The good folks at IT for Change invited me to participate in a few sessions as part of their 25th anniversary celebration event Our Digital Futures Fest. The events were spread a… --- ## [Openness as a Strategic Choice | Opensource \<\> Geopolitics](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/openness-as-a-strategic-choice-opensource-geopolitics/6303)
**Author:** [@Krishna](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Krishna)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [4 October 2025 14:29 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/openness-as-a-strategic-choice-opensource-geopolitics/6303 "2025-10-04T14:29:19Z")
This is delivered as a webinar (duration~ 1hr) to Network for Advanced Study of Technology Geopolitics (NAST) Fellows of Takshashila Institution on August 16th, 2025. Thanks to @rahulporuri for referring me! Sharing my … --- ## [Draft Guidelines for Examination of Computer-Related Inventions (CRI), 2025 Released for Public Consultation](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/draft-guidelines-for-examination-of-computer-related-inventions-cri-2025-released-for-public-consultation/5431)
**Author:** [@Harsha\_R](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Harsha_R)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [4 September 2025 16:32 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/draft-guidelines-for-examination-of-computer-related-inventions-cri-2025-released-for-public-consultation/5431 "2025-09-04T16:32:00Z")
On March 25, the Patent Office published the Draft Guidelines for the Examination of Computer-Related Inventions (CRI), 2025, inviting stakeholders and the public to submit comments and suggestions by April 15, 2025. Ba… --- ## [FOSS United Tech Policy Strategy 2025](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/foss-united-tech-policy-strategy-2025/5007)
**Author:** [@Anwesha\_Sen1](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Anwesha_Sen1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [2 July 2025 07:41 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/foss-united-tech-policy-strategy-2025/5007 "2025-07-02T07:41:01Z")
As a community, we have been dabbling with numerous ideas and projects around tech and FOSS policy over the years. This has resulted in somewhat of a top-down approach where we try to do too many things at once (personal… --- ## [Building the case for Kerala Government to fund FOSS](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/building-the-case-for-kerala-government-to-fund-foss/4740)
**Author:** [@Shree\_Kumar](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Shree_Kumar)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [28 June 2025 09:59 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/building-the-case-for-kerala-government-to-fund-foss/4740 "2025-06-28T09:59:06Z")
Why, how, and how much ? In the context of the FOSS funding crisis, I feel we are missing the government angle. Most often we think “companies must donate”. Wishful thinking, as we have no mechanism to push companies to … --- ## [The Imperative of Open Sourcing Chip Manufacturing Processes](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/the-imperative-of-open-sourcing-chip-manufacturing-processes/3292)
**Author:** [@aytas\_too\_much](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/aytas_too_much)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [24 February 2025 13:53 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/the-imperative-of-open-sourcing-chip-manufacturing-processes/3292 "2025-02-24T13:53:53Z")
Hey all, some of us at the Taksashila Institution are working on exploring different models for open-sourcing (or providing open access to) certain elements of the semiconductor fabrication and design value chain. We ar… --- ## [Andhra Pradesh Policies](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/andhra-pradesh-policies/4207)
**Author:** [@Ram\_Iyengar](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Ram_Iyengar)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [17 October 2024 14:12 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/andhra-pradesh-policies/4207 "2024-10-17T14:12:37Z")
Came across this post - Nara Chandrababu Naidu on LinkedIn: #networking #collaboration #business #policy #industry #entreprenuership… | 436 comments on LinkedIn. I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to read the act… --- ## [For the first time in forever](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/for-the-first-time-in-forever/4170)
**Author:** [@Ram\_Iyengar](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Ram_Iyengar)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [9 October 2024 11:12 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/for-the-first-time-in-forever/4170 "2024-10-09T11:12:04Z")
Around the world, many governments and public sector folks have been advocating software guidelines of sorts. Recently, the use of open source software and consequently the security of the Software Supply Chain have come… --- ## [\[Help wanted\] FOSS United Public Policy Charter V0](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/help-wanted-foss-united-public-policy-charter-v0/3341)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [28 September 2024 07:28 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/help-wanted-foss-united-public-policy-charter-v0/3341 "2024-09-28T07:28:56Z")
FOSS United has been active in the Indian Public Policy space for a few years now. Apart from our stance on Software Patents (see endsoftwarepatents.in), members of the FOSS United Community have highlighted the fact tha… --- ## [Absurd Software Patent of the Week](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/absurd-software-patent-of-the-week/1744)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [18 May 2024 05:09 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/absurd-software-patent-of-the-week/1744 "2024-05-18T05:09:15Z")
As part of the Software Patents effort, I’d like to highlight a few bad/absurd software patents that make our jaws drop every week. I’d like to begin with this classic US6185590B1 - Process and architecture for use on s… --- ## [India Tech Policy Radar](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/india-tech-policy-radar/2534)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [18 May 2024 04:46 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/india-tech-policy-radar/2534 "2024-05-18T04:46:35Z")
TL;DR - If you come across a tech policy document that feels relevant to FOSS United, please consider telling us about it via this thread. A lot of things are happening in the Tech Policy space in India and no single vo… --- ## [FOSS United's Policy Roadmap (November 2023 to October 2024)](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/foss-uniteds-policy-roadmap-november-2023-to-october-2024/2536)
**Author:** [@Venkatesh\_Hariharan](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Venkatesh_Hariharan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [29 March 2024 14:25 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/foss-uniteds-policy-roadmap-november-2023-to-october-2024/2536 "2024-03-29T14:25:23Z")
FOSS United’s Public Policy goals are to: Build a powerful voice for FOSS United in policy discussions that impact the Free and Open Source Software community in India Build coalitions with industry, academia and polic… --- ## [Software Patents Outreach](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/software-patents-outreach/2901)
**Author:** [@Venkatesh\_Hariharan](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Venkatesh_Hariharan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [21 February 2024 05:44 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/software-patents-outreach/2901 "2024-02-21T05:44:44Z")
Our goal this year is to do outreach to at least one policy maker/influencer every week on the software patents issue, and request them to support our efforts. This is a painstaking process since awareness of software pa… --- ## [Software Patents Review # 2 dated 26/01/2024](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/software-patents-review-2-dated-26-01-2024/2833)
**Author:** [@Venkatesh\_Hariharan](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Venkatesh_Hariharan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [15 February 2024 06:20 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/software-patents-review-2-dated-26-01-2024/2833 "2024-02-15T06:20:32Z")
Software Patents Review # 2 dated 26/01/2024 During election times, especially in local elections, it is not uncommon to see voters being bribed to vote for a particular party, but have you ever heard of voters paying t… --- ## [Plan for End Software Patents Website for 2024](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/plan-for-end-software-patents-website-for-2024/2744)
**Author:** [@Venkatesh\_Hariharan](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Venkatesh_Hariharan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [7 January 2024 10:48 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/plan-for-end-software-patents-website-for-2024/2744 "2024-01-07T10:48:35Z")
Thanks to Mythili Srinivasamurthy for helping us put together this plan. If there are volunteers interested in being part of this effort, please reach out to us at policy@fossunited.org 1. Purpose The number of softwar… --- ## [Public Specifications for e-EPIC QR](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/public-specifications-for-e-epic-qr/2570)
**Author:** [@Nemo](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Nemo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [5 January 2024 18:03 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/public-specifications-for-e-epic-qr/2570 "2024-01-05T18:03:33Z")
Background Election Comission of India launched e-EPIC (a digital version of the Voter ID card) sometime around January 2021. The ECI website describes it as: e-EPIC is a portable document format(PDF) version of the EP… --- ## [An emerging concern for FOSS in Intellectual property space](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/an-emerging-concern-for-foss-in-intellectual-property-space/2720)
**Author:** [@Harsha\_R](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Harsha_R)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [29 December 2023 12:57 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/an-emerging-concern-for-foss-in-intellectual-property-space/2720 "2023-12-29T12:57:14Z")
There is an emerging issue which requires our attention and discussion over it. As we are aware that Intellectual property (IP) consist of various subject matter such as patents, copyright, design, etc. The issue I bring… --- ## [FSFE releases router freedom wiki and handbook](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/fsfe-releases-router-freedom-wiki-and-handbook/2698)
**Author:** [@Sai\_Phanindra](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Sai_Phanindra)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [16 December 2023 19:28 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/fsfe-releases-router-freedom-wiki-and-handbook/2698 "2023-12-16T19:28:45Z")
Free Software Foundation Europe has created a handbook and a wiki on Router Freedom in which they advocate for end user freedom in choosing routers instead of the ISPs forcing them. Announcement: fsfe.org/news/2023/news… --- ## [RFC: A Pathway to AI Governance](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/rfc-a-pathway-to-ai-governance/2599)
**Author:** [@Bharath\_Reddy](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Bharath_Reddy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [12 December 2023 18:26 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/rfc-a-pathway-to-ai-governance/2599 "2023-12-12T18:26:19Z")
Hello, some of us at the Takshashila Institution have been working on a discussion document on A Pathway to AI Governance. While the narratives around AI governance globally primarily focus on ethics and safety, we beli… --- ## [Minutes : Patent Applications Review Group](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/minutes-patent-applications-review-group/2582)
**Author:** [@Shree\_Kumar](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Shree_Kumar)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [27 November 2023 06:30 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/minutes-patent-applications-review-group/2582 "2023-11-27T06:30:24Z")
Attendees: Sai Phanindra, Ansh, Shree 26 Nov, 10 AM This was our first meeting as a group today. This was a follow-up from the policy volunteers call. Minutes: Group is warming upto the task. Ansh had exams mostly. … --- ## [Comments on Draft IT Policy 2023, Govt. of Kerala](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/comments-on-draft-it-policy-2023-govt-of-kerala/2507)
**Author:** [@rahulporuri](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/rahulporuri)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [16 November 2023 18:21 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/comments-on-draft-it-policy-2023-govt-of-kerala/2507 "2023-11-16T18:21:16Z")
https://itpolicy.startupmission.in/it-policy.pdf contains the draft IT policy 2023 of the Govt. of Kerala. Please post comments on the draft policy on this thread. --- ## [Minutes of FOSS United Policy Volunteers Call #1 - 11th Nov, 2023](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/minutes-of-foss-united-policy-volunteers-call-1-11th-nov-2023/2544)
**Author:** [@Venkatesh\_Hariharan](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Venkatesh_Hariharan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [11 November 2023 11:33 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/minutes-of-foss-united-policy-volunteers-call-1-11th-nov-2023/2544 "2023-11-11T11:33:46Z")
Attendees: Ansh, Rahul Sai Poruri, Shree Kumar, Vishnu Sanal, Anwesha Sen, Akhilesh G, Harsha R, Sai Phanindra, Venkatesh Hariharan (Venky) Notes Venky - providing introduction regarding the efforts so far An ongoing … --- ## [Software Patents Reading List for FOSS Advocates](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/software-patents-reading-list-for-foss-advocates/2542)
**Author:** [@Venkatesh\_Hariharan](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Venkatesh_Hariharan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [11 November 2023 10:30 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/software-patents-reading-list-for-foss-advocates/2542 "2023-11-11T10:30:25Z")
Software Patents Reading List SFLC report on the law and practice of software patenting in India. Commissioned by FOSS United and published in 2022. This contains a detailed history of Section 3(k) of the Indian Patent… [Next page](https://forum.fossunited.org/c/policy/27.md?page=1)