in reply to (kudra: Distribution a problem too?) Re(2): Licensing your software
in thread Licensing your software

There is no reason you need to do this alone. Your software looks like it fills a huge need, and there are smart people who will be glad to help you promote your free software, even if they don't know anything about GPL.

If distribution is an issue: you probably should contact The Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe. You should consider presenting your software at assistive technology conferences, where people who make buying decisions will see it. This is where your vendor friend would probably go to advertise in their vendor area. You could present a paper or "poster session" which would get you free publicity.

You might qualify for technology grants to develop (and possibly market) this yourself; in the U.S. the government offers funds for "Small Business Innovation Research" which would likely cover this development, to the tune of $30,000 for six months and/or $100,000 for three years.

Since you own the copyright on the software you could license pVoice to vendors under a non-GPL license that states that they can charge no more than $x for the software to cover their advertising/distribution costs. If you want to do any deals with vendors, you should find a local business lawyer to back you up; you know the vendors will have a legal staff, so you should too. If you look hard you might find one who will take this up pro bono or at heavily discounted rates.

Finally, you might want to do a google search for assistive technology netherlands and see who comes up. There are almost certainly non-profit organizations that would jump at the chance to help; possibly acting as an "umbrella organization" to get you grants to do further development; and provide advertising and distribution assistance.

Sorry if these recommendations seem obvious or too basic; I wanted to make sure all the bases are covered!

--- -DA

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Re: Re: (kudra: Distribution a problem too?) Re(2): Licensing your software
by Jouke (Curate) on May 15, 2001 at 12:22 UTC
    Thanks for your suggestions, but I think they are missing an important point. I'm not developing this as a company, but as a private person. I can't afford going to conferences like you suggest, lawyers cost even more money, and I have to find the first lawyer that is good AND does things pro bono.

    I am however looking for -as you call it- an umbrella organization, who can provide assistance.
    In NL you have the BOSK, which is an association for parents of disabled children, very well-known and may do something for me in this area...who knows...

    Jouke Visser, Perl 'Adept'
      If any of the suggestions help, that's good. I wanted to offer the largest number of possible suggestions for reaching your goals... I realize you're a programmer and father, not a businessman or non-profit project-manager. Maybe the right way is to find a non-profit partner who can assist, though an umbrella organization.
      --- -DA