Why We Funded

Felix’s work as an MEP successfully stated the case for openness to be considered in copyright law, an area traditionally one-sided and based entirely on an “all rights reserved model.” He raised the open movement’s profile during his term and has been a figure of inspiration to many of the hundreds of thousands who protested the EU’s near-capitulation to the whims of the entertainment and publishing industries.

There is still vital work to be done and a lot at stake. Copyright laws favourable to large rights holders stunt innovation, damage online communities and entrench the already-significant power of established technology companies. Researchers suffer, too, and several of our fellows have experienced adverse effects from the pressure and legal weight of academic publishers. Felix has the opportunity to break significant ground and unleash the real potential of knowledge sharing on the Internet while expanding the reach of open further into public consciousness.

Felix’s work focuses on:

• Promoting and defending transparency rights to challenge the status quo enjoyed by academic publishers
• Testing specific elements of the EU Directive and fighting for a progressive interpretation for the benefit of creators and users
• Involving marginalised communities who suffer disproportionately from restrictive copyright policies

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