<div>James S.,</div><div><br></div><div>It is certainly a possibility--the criteria for are available here: <a href="http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal_and_Community_Advocacy/Foundation_Policy_and_Political_Association_Guideline" target="_blank">http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Legal_and_Community_Advocacy/Foundation_Policy_and_Political_Association_Guideline</a></div>
<div><br></div><div>However, I hope this list can also serve a more general purpose, as a venue to share and discuss the legal and policy questions that are relevant to our mission. Personally, I find it useful to hear about issues that are important to Wikimedians around the world. Wikimedians have a lot of expertise and knowledge on issues like copyright, and this list is open so that can be shared. </div>
<div><br></div><div>Ideally, if/when the WMF or any community member needs to consult on a potential advocacy proposal, this list will already discussing the topic and can provide useful feedback. </div><div><br></div><div>
Best,</div><div>Stephen</div><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 7:44 PM, James Alexander <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jalexander@wikimedia.org" target="_blank">jalexander@wikimedia.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">James,<div><br></div><div>As a community member I think the SOPA discussion and more global discussions after that made it quite clear that actions should be incredibly rare and that, generally, it's better for them to come from the community rather then from suggestions that the Foundation makes. I'm sure that the legal staff will make suggestions that they think need to be made but they should do so incredibly judiciously, community members on this list should not feel themselves so restrained. </div>
<div><br></div><div>My general understanding of this list from the start was as more of a space for community members (including at times staff members, but in their role as community members) to discuss and isolate ideas that rang true and needed more input or action from the community. If none of them are emerging, it's a clear sign that the community isn't comfortable creating an action out of them.</div>
<div><br></div><div>James</div><div><br><div><div>James Alexander</div>
<div>Wikimedia Foundation</div>
<div><a href="tel:%28415%29%20839-6885%20x6716" value="+14158396885" target="_blank">(415) 839-6885 x6716</a> @jamesofur<br></div></div>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div>On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 11:09 AM, James Salsman <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jsalsman@gmail.com" target="_blank">jsalsman@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br></div>
</div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div><div>
Stephen,<br>
<br>
Does the Foundation intend to ever propose any actions in the interest<br>
of the projects or their editors for community approval?<br>
<br></div></div>
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</blockquote></div><br></div>
</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="background-image:initial"><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="background-image:initial">Stephen LaPorte</span></span></div>
Legal Counsel</span></span><div><span style><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Wikimedia Foundation</font></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<i style="font-size:small"><br></i></div><div style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><i style="font-size:small">For legal reasons, I may only serve as an attorney for the Wikimedia Foundation. This means I may not give legal advice to or serve as a lawyer for community members, volunteers, or staff members in their personal capacity.</i></div>
</span></div>