Florian Snow
Florian Snow is a software developer from Nuremberg, Germany with a background in a variety of different fields such as teaching, programming, linguistics, and design. He became interested in Free Software around 1999 and has been active in the community since around 2006. Apart from his job as a software developer, he works and volunteers for the Free Software Foundation Europe where he has been active in many different areas over the years.
Intervention
The way we license software is one of the most important, yet often overlooked aspects of writing and sharing software. As developers, we often shy away from legal jargon and the variety of available licenses can feel complex, but understanding it is easier than it first appears and it unlocks new opportunities to share and grow your work. This talk offers a clear, beginner-friendly introduction to Free Software licensing. It will cover the basics of how licensing works in general and give you an overview of the most important licenses you should know, how they work, and when to use which one. We will explore how good licensing practices help foster trust and sustainable collaboration in Free Software communities, both locally and globally. After the talk, you will be ready to confidently license your own code properly and avoid common legal mistakes. That way, people can (re)use, contribute, and share your work - to make sure your code benefits the community and society as a whole. Whether you are writing software for a local startup or contributing to a global Free Software project, understanding licensing helps you work with confidence.