The open letter addresses the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act, highlighting the significance of Free and Open Source Software and its alignment with EU aims and values, while also raising concerns about potential risks in the current form of the proposed regulations.
July 25, 2023 — New York, NY
Representatives from Drupal, Joomla, TYPO3, and WordPress communities have come together to address EU legislators in an open letter which highlights the possible impacts of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Content Management Systems (CMS).
Combined, these four Content Management Systems power more than half of all websites around the world and play a critical role in driving a competitive European economy and enabling cross-border collaboration.
As advocates for enhanced security and quality in European hardware and software through the CRA, Open Source Matters and the FOSS CMS communities named above commend the legislative goal. However, there are concerns regarding the adverse impact the proposed regulations could have on FOSS development and innovation within the EU:
"Individuals, SMEs, and institutions will be hampered either by enormous administrative burdens or a chilling effect on their activities (and a potential rush towards the American Tech Giants) for fear of risking penalties under the CRA. [...] As mentioned by many other commenters...large and enterprise-class businesses may be the only ones able to profitably sustain the administrative burden of CRA compliance, quelling EU innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic livelihoods," the letter states.
To ensure continued success and alignment with EU aims and values, the letter proposes clarifying the CRA’s exemption for FOSS and supporting users’ rights and freedoms. The letter emphasizes the alignment of FOSS with EU core values, including human dignity, freedom, democracy, and equality.
Open Source Matters and the Inter-CMS Working Group invite EU Commission members and other stakeholders to participate in a seminar in Brussels early this fall, fostering a collaborative dialogue to address the concerns raised.
The letter was signed by:
- Crystal Dionysopoulos, President, Open Source Matters, Inc. (Joomla)
- Josepha Haden Chomphosy, Executive Director, Wordpress Project
- Olivier Dobberkau, President, TYPO3 Association
- Tim Doyle, CEO, Drupal Association
Read or download the full open letter: https://www.joomla.org/announcements/general-news/5891-open-letter-foss-cms-cyber-resilience-act.html
About Open Source Matters
Open Source Matters (OSM) is a non-profit organization that supports and promotes the Joomla! open-source project. Its mission is to empower and unite a global community of Joomla users and contributors to cultivate and sustain an innovative and reliable content management system. For more information, visit www.opensourcematters.org.
About Joomla
Joomla is an award-winning content management system (CMS) enabling the development of millions of websites worldwide. It is designed to be user-friendly, flexible, and secure, making it an ideal solution for personal websites, blogs, online stores, and large enterprises. For more information, visit www.joomla.org.
About Drupal, TYPO3, and WordPress
Drupal, TYPO3, and WordPress are leading open-source Content Management Systems (CMS) that, along with Joomla, have significantly impacted the digital landscape. Each platform boasts its unique approach to web content management, catering to diverse user needs. Despite their different approaches to building websites, they share common values, emphasizing collaboration, accessibility, and community-driven development. Together, their collective strength fosters innovation and empowers website creators worldwide.
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Contact
Crystal Dionysopoulos
President, Open Source Matters, Inc.