The French Copyright Law Opens Its Arms to the FOSS [ Free and Open Source Software]

Publication des actes d'une session tenue lors du 19e Congrès international de droit comparé. 24 juillet 2014. Vienne (Autriche)Ouvrage disponible sous forme numérique. eISBN : 978-3-319-21560-0 ; International audience ; French copyright law includes special provisions on copyright contracts which apply to license contracts generally. It also has a special provision on FOSS and other alternative licenses found under Article L. 122-7-1 of the Code de la Propriété Intellectuelle. While this provision has no legal effect in France, its introduction serves as a symbolic gesture towards the FOSS and alternative licensing communities. Given the freedom of contract, anyone can develop his or her own standard FOSS license in France. French courts have recognized the validity of the GNU GPL in France, holding that such licenses can be considered common in software transactions and should therefore be well-known by professionals in the industry. Most commentators think that FOSS and alternative licenses are to be construed as contracts. The courts appear to have endorsed this contractual approach too. FOSS and alternative licensing practices are compatible with French principles on offer and acceptance. There are many different rules of contractual interpretation under French law. These rules must be applied only if French Law governs the agreement. Disclaimers of warranty and liability are without strong effect in France since the warranty and liability regime is governed in part by mandatory rules of public order.[FOSS = free and open source software][GNU GPL = GNU General Public License] ; La loi française sur le droit d'auteur comprend des dispositions spéciales sur les contrats de droit d'auteur qui s'appliquent aux contrats de licence en général. Elle comporte également une disposition spéciale sur les logiciels libres et les autres licences alternatives qui se trouve à l'article L. 122-7-1 du Code de la Propriété Intellectuelle. Bien que cette disposition n'ait aucun effet juridique en France, son introduction ...