While the over-presence of #Microsoft at #SCaLE2026 was painful — from blocking all access to the trade show floor and SFC booth with multiple “must be present to win” raffles & a purchased keynote, I do think the #SCaLE organizers listened to feedback, and I look forward to changes on this issues next year.

Also, 👍 to SCaLE as it is one of the only conferences that puts no sponsor logos on the T-shirt! They are one of the very few conference shirts I'll wear outside the house b/c of that!

@jezra 😲

I'm not surprised California has a law on this, & I'd love to know more.

Can you point me to the statute & the regulations? I'll read up & see if #Microsoft did yesterday at #SCaLE2026 violates.

AFAICT, raffle was structured this way:
* Agree to spend at least a few minutes talking to $MSFT (or nearby $MSFT's #GitHub)
* Receive one of those tiny paper tickets with a number
* Return to booth at specified time
* Must be present to win.
* ≈ 4 prizes, ≈ $200 each

#SCaLE

#Microsoft encroachment & cooption of FOSS continues at #SCaLE2026. $MSFT has now blocked access in all common areas that reach #SoftwareFreedom Conservancy's booth.

This continued for 10 minutes while $MSFT raffled off proprietary products. (Must be present at the booth to win).

It's consistent with the bad behavior Microsoft's engaged in for decades – just fascinating to see them literally & physically gather people to keep others away for #FOSS. That's a new one.

#OpenSource #SCaLE #SFC

¹ At #SCaLE2026, #SFC is again the Network Sponsor. For the 2nd year, the entire #SCaLE network is operating on #OpenWrt One's — the only wireless router hardware in history to comply with #GPL & #LGPL from Day 0 *&* have no proprietary software² for its operating system & UI.

Want One? Visit #SoftwareFeedom Conservancy's booth (on left entering expo hall) to buy One (while supplies last).

Not at #SCaLE? https://sfconservancy.org/activities/openwrt-one.html

²It does have binary blobs on some components.

#FOSS #OpenSource