[Wikimedia-l] Question: How do we define lobbying?

[Samuel Klein]

In the WMF context, it has a precise (well, reasonably precise)
definition under US law.  Perhaps we can clarify how this applies /
what would qualify in different contexts.

SJ

On Sat, Apr 20, 2013 at 8:46 AM, Ilario Valdelli <valdelli at gmail.com> wrote:
> The problem is that in some European countries lobbying is in a gray zone
> at the limit of "corruption" and it's not legally recognized.
>
> What is important is to define clearly what people means with "lobbying"
> and may be better to change the word.
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 19, 2013 at 5:37 PM, Fae <faewik at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> In a workshop in the Milan conference, there was a break-out
>> discussion led by Iolanda (WMIT) on lobbying. There is a lot of
>> interest in finding ways of supporting change in copyright legislation
>> and open knowledge access in as many countries as possible.
>>
>> One of the interesting features of the WMF agreement when providing
>> funds under the FDC process is that this money should not be used for
>> lobbying. During the coffee break I had a quick chat with Garfield
>> (the WMF CFO) about a possible clarification. My understanding from
>> that chat was that if there were valid reasons for lobbying in support
>> of our cause, this should be a separate grant for traceability
>> reasons, it is not intended to imply a blanket ban, but traceability
>> is needed to satisfy the IRS. If a chapter has separate income from
>> the WMF, then there is no concern as this is a matter for the
>> individual chapter board and membership to worry about.
>>
>> I think this is a useful clarification, and this ought to be followed
>> up as an action from our workshop.
>>
>> I would welcome any comments from the wider community on what sorts of
>> lobbying as a movement that we definitely want to support, encourage
>> and possibly provide funds for, and if we could come to a clearer
>> definition of what lobbying is (such as political protest) and things
>> we do as a community that is not quite lobbying, even though it may
>> relate to government legislation (such as publishing a white paper
>> with our summary of the benefits of changes in copyright law).
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Fae
>> --
>> faewik at gmail.com http://j.mp/faewm
>> Guide to email tags: http://j.mp/mfae
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Ilario Valdelli
> Wikimedia CH
> Verein zur Förderung Freien Wissens
> Association pour l’avancement des connaissances libre
> Associazione per il sostegno alla conoscenza libera
> Switzerland - 8008 Zürich
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-- 
Samuel Klein          @metasj           w:user:sj          +1 617 529 4266