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Open letter for the right to install any software on any device
Upcycling Android
Open Letter
The universal right to install any software on any device
Software design is crucial for the ecodesign and sustainability of
products and hardware. Free Software systems and services enable reuse,
repurposing and interoperability of devices. The universal right to
freely choose operating systems, software and services is crucial for a
more sustainable digital society.
To: Legislators in the European Union
In copy: Citizens of the European Union
The ongoing digitization of infrastructures and services comes along with
a continuously growing number of electronic devices that are connected to
the Internet - be it in private, public or business environments. Many of
these devices need more energy and natural resources to be produced than
the energy they consume during their entire lifespan. And way too many of
these devices are being wasted and not reparable simply because the
software stops working or is not being updated anymore.
Once the pre-installed software stops users from continuing to use their
hardware, restrictive ownership models prevent users from helping
themselves to enjoy longer use of their devices. Restrictions span from
physically locking down hardware, to technical obscurity by using
proprietary software, to legal restrictions via software licenses and end
user license agreements. This way, manufacturers often prohibit
repairability, access and reuse of their devices. Even after purchase,
customers often do not really own their devices. They are not able to do
what they want with their very own devices.
If you cannot install the software you want on your own device – you
don’t own it.
We, the signees of this open letter,
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recognize that free access to the hardware and software determines how
long or how often a device can be used or reused.
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declare the increased longevity and reusability of our devices to be
inevitable for a more sustainable digital society.
That is why we ask legislators in the European Union to make use of the
historic chance and enable a more sustainable use of electronic products
and devices with a universal right to install and run any software on
any device.
To this end, we demand that:
Users have the right to freely choose operating systems and software
running on their devices
Our tablets, phones and other connected devices are general purpose
computers. Replacing software and operating systems on these devices
enables us to extend the initial lifespan of a device and to make full
use of our hardware. For the ability to reuse and repurpose our
resources in a creative and sustainable way we need
the universal right to install and develop any operating system and
software we want on any of our devices.
Any legal, technical or other obstacles to reuse these devices for any
purpose must not be allowed.
Users have the right to freely choose between service providers to
connect their devices with
Users must have the free choice of providers offering software related
services, meaning they can use the device from one manufacturer with
the service provided by another. Many connected clients today go to
waste simply because their online services go offline. Free choice of
services allows these clients to be reused by connecting to another
service.
Operating systems and embedded software determine possible
interactions between generic sensors, modules and systems with their
connected online services. For users to exercise free choice of
services, they must be able to use the device from one manufacturer
with any online service, which could be supplied by any other third
party or by themselves.
Connected services as well as the software on connected devices and
applications must offer interoperability and full functionality of a
device's initial purpose with the use of Open Standards.
Devices are interoperable and compatible with open standards
Software designs and architectures determine accessibility and
compatibility of hardware via standards, drivers, tools, and
interfaces. Proprietary software and protocols hinder competition
among manufacturers, undermine repairability of devices and create an
artificial incompatibility of different devices within the same
infrastructure. Interoperability of single devices however is crucial
for the creation of sufficient, sustainable and long-lasting IT
infrastructures. To enable interoperability,
manufacturers must ensure that any data necessary to run a
device's primary function is compatible with and possible to
import/export in open standards.
Smaller components of a device often require specific drivers, tools,
and interfaces to operate. Users need full access and free reusability
of the source code of those drivers, tools, and interfaces to analyse
and integrate a device within a set of interconnected devices from
different manufacturers. Source code reusability is also key to
exercise the full right to repair for any third-parties from
professional repair shops to repair cafés to end users.
A free license is any license that gives everyone the four freedoms to
use, study, share and improve the software, including Free Software
and Open Source Software licenses.
The obligation to publish drivers, tools, and interfaces under such
a free license after market entry are key for full access to our
devices and exercising the universal right to repair.
Sign the letter
This campaign is completed, so you can no longer sign the open letter.
Supporting organisations
Does your organisation or company support the users’ right to freely
choose operating systems, software and services? Please reach us with an
email to contact [at] fsfe [dot] org to sign the open letter and join the
alliance.