On 20/12/12 01:07 AM, Itzik Edri wrote:
> According to this laws what WMIL did to lobby and push legislation
> to release government photos under CC was not ok?
>
> - Sent from my mobile device On Dec 20, 2012 2:34 AM, "Stephen
> LaPorte" <
slaporte@wikimedia.org> wrote:
>
>> Pine,
>>
>> Nonprofits may lobby, but not without limit. In the U.S., a
>> tax-exempt nonprofit is absolutely prohibited from engaging in
>> political campaign activity (opposing or favoring a political
>> candidate), and lobbying (attempts to influence legislation)
>> cannot be a substantial part of its activity. The lobbying
>> regulations are very technical, so lobbying activity must be
>> monitored for proper accounting.
>>
>> There are alternative types of organizations, such as social
>> welfare organizations (§ 501(c)(4)) and political organizations
>> (§ 527), that have more flexibility to engage in political or
>> lobbying activity. However, these organizations to do not enjoy
>> the same tax benefits as a charitable organization (501(c)(3)).
>>
>> The IRS has useful information on the topic:
>>
>> *
http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Lobbying *
>>
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/election_year_phone_forum_slides.pdf
>>
>>
>>
>>
I am happy to see that the discussion on Commons is considering a number
>> of different approaches to the issue. Lobbying is one approach,
>> but outreach and creative licensing can also have a big impact.
>>
>> Thanks, Stephen