@cwebber I think maybe you missed https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2026/mar/04/scotus-deny-cert-dc-circuit-thaler-appeal-llm-ai/ where #SFC analyzed that situation?
Also, follow @ai_cases & see the *firehose* of litigation on this & remember the “Work Based on the Program” issue under GPLv2 has still never been litigated directly but lots of cases about 100% proprietary software have bolstered GPL's strength.
Big Content has legal battles with Big Tech on 100s of fronts rn. Yes, we're adrift on their sea, but the situation is not as dire as you imagine.
No Serious Implications for FOSS from SCOTUS' DenialEarlier this week1, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) denied certiorari (cert) in Thaler v. Perlmutter. Thaler contended that an image — generated by a Large Language Model (LLM)-backed Artificial Intelligence (AI) — deserved copyright registration. Since the U.S. Copyright Office refused to grant the registration, Thaler appealed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (DC Circuit). That Court affirmed the Copyright Office's decision. SCOTUS' denial of “cert” means they will not hear the case. Strictly speaking, this denial does not affirm the DC Circuit Court's ruling, but it does mean the DC Circuit decision stands.
(3/5) …
Proprietary #LLM-backed gen #AI systems' *users* aren't criminals! They're just users of proprietary systems & some of them want to engage positively with FOSS.
Years ago, I supported Homebrew's membership at #SFC despite their *primary* goal of improving #Apple products with #FOSS. It make me a bit 🤢, but — historically — forming alliances with proprietary software enthusiasts who mean well & are #FOSS-curious is why our community is resilient.
👀🛜 … an LWN article …
https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/1066103/c9766036f1dae494/
… about Denver Gingerich's #SCaLE2026 talk about the massive success of the #OpenWrt One — the 1ˢᵗ official hardware wireless router from #SFC & its OpenWrt project. The One is a shining example that proves: “if you plan for #copyleft compliance from the start, sourcing & releasing a product with correct Complete, Corresopnding Source (#CCS) from Day 0 is trivial.”
Cc: @lwn
#OpenSource #FreeSoftware #SoftwareFreedom #Conservancy #GPL #LGPL #SCaLE
BBC Sports #Saints
Bradley M. Kühn
