Libre-Halaal Software

1  The Need for Defining Libre-Halaal Software

We are Software Engineers and this is in the context of our professional responsibilities.

Software and Internet Services have become an integral and critical component of societal functioning, and the consequences for humanity are enormous. Of fundamental importance in this regard is what we will call the manner-of-existence of software.

Our profession, the Software Engineering profession, has a responsibility to society and to humanity. In order to fulfill that responsibility, our profession needs and requires that the global manner-of-existence of software meet certain requirements.

You should care about this because without Libre-Halaal Software, the current directions of software and internet will continue.

Without respect for Libre-Halaal software, privacy, autonomy and freedoms of the individual will continue to be crushed, personal information will continue to become a currency and domination of corporations and corpocracy will further grow.

2  The Manner of Existence of Software

By “manner-of-existence” of software we mean everything relating to how the software exists within society. This includes but is not limited to:

• Are there any restrictions for possessing the software by anyone who wishes to possess it?
• Is copying the software restricted by local law?
• Is copying the software restricted by other methods?
• Is use of the software restricted by local law?
• Is use of the software restricted by other methods?
• Is the software internally transparent?
• Is the software modifiable and enhanceable?

Manner-of-existence of software impacts societal and social structures and autonomy and privacy of the individual.

Today there are two models for the manner-of-existence of software.

1. The Proprietary Software Model.

   This model is exemplified by Microsoft Windows. It is based on a competitive development model, and dominated by American companies. It is protected and rooted in the corrupt Western so-called Intellectual Property Rights regime, in particular the twin ownership mechanisms of patent and copyright. It is opaque and prevents software users from knowing what their software is doing. Therefore, the user can not trust the software. Its distribution is controlled by its producer.

2. The Non-Proprietary Software Model.

   This model is exemplified by Debian GNU/Linux. It is based on a collaborative development model where software engineers worldwide work collectively to move the software forward. It rejects the corrupt Western so-called Intellectual Property Rights regime of patent and copyright. It is internally transparent and permits the Software Engineering profession to verify the software. Therefore, the user can trust the software. Its distribution is unrestricted.

Though it is not part of popular cultural awareness, there is currently a titanic battle taking place between these two competing ideologies. This is a to-the-death battle, from which there can eventually emerge only a single winner.

The software battle is part of a broader ideological contest, about ownership models for poly-existentials in general (software, but also including literature, music, images, movies, etc.) in the digital era.

The result of this battle has broader ramifications for individulals and society – which impact autonomy, privacy, freedom, and social interaction. The model that any given society chooses for the manner-of-existence of software (and more broadly digital constructs and poly-existentials) impacts social and societal behaviors and shapes what people become.

3  Halaal Manner of Existence of Software – Definition Of Libre-Halaal Software

So, with the stakes that high, what is the halaal (“right”) manner-of-existence of software?

We put forward that for each form of poly-existential, the manner-of-existence that permit Professions to safeguard society and humanity are the halaal manner-of-existence for that poly-existential.

The following criteria are required for halaal manner-of-existence of software, to allow the Software Engineering profession to fulfill its responsibility to society and humanity.

We use the label “Libre-Halaal Software” to convey “Halaal Manner of Existence of Software”.

Software is Libre-Halaal Software if it has all of the following attributes:

• Halaal Criterion 1 – Unrestricted Multi-Possessibility. There are no restrictions is possessing the software by anyone who wishes to possess it – There are no restrictions in copying and redistributing copies.
• Halaal Criterion 2 – Unrestricted Usage. There are no restrictions for using (running) the software.
• Halaal Criterion 3 – Internal Transparency. The source code of the software is available to all software engineers to examine the software and study how it works. Unless software is internal transparent, the software can not be trusted.
• Halaal Criterion 4 – Modifiability. Software engineers must be able to modify the software, re-install the modified version and use the modified version without restrictions. The available source code of the software permits software engineers to change and enhancement it.
• Halaal Criterion 5 – Proper Authorship Attribution. The authorship of the software is not misrepresented.

Additionally, the software engineering profession requires from software engineers that the perpetuality of all of the above be applied to all public modifcations of the software. In other words, any modification or enhancement that is generally offered as software or service forever shall also have all of the above attributes.

In a document titled:

Libre-Halaal Software
Defining Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Software
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/180044 — []

We provide a complete definition of Libre-Halaal Software.

4  The Libre-Halaal Label

The Libre-Halaal label communicates a particular concept which is built on the concept of “Halaal” and the concept of “Libre”.

4.1  The Concept Of Halaal

Our focus as engineers is to build the right thing.

The sensitive and potent word “Halaal” is introduced into Globish in the document titled:

Introducing Halaal and Haraam into Globish
Based on Moral Philosophy of Abstract Halaal
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/120039 — []

In that document we precisely define what we mean by “Halaal” and “Haraam” and the explicit context and scope of the “Libre-Halaal” label. We use the word Halaal carefully and consistently to emphasize that our work is anchored in morality.

Briefly, philosophical halaal is “manifestation” of “moral sensibilities” relevant to a specific topic where “the set of actions” map to “right.” And, philosophical haraam is “manifestation” of “moral sensibilities” relevant to a specific topic where “the set of actions” map to “wrong.”

4.2  The Concept Of Libre

In English, the adjective “Free” is ambiguous. It could mean “gratis” or “freedom” (libre). In most contexts ‘gratis” is more dominant.

We describe our use of the word libre in the document titled:

Introducing Libre into Globish
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/120047 — []

In this context, Libre communicates the belief that the Western so-called Intellectual Property Rights regime of Patents and Copyright are an obstacle to progress of the engineering profession and are detrimental to society.

In a document titled:

The Nature of Poly-Existentials:
Basis for Abolishment of The Western Intellectual Property Rights Regime
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/120033 — []

We analyze and discredit the Western Intellectual Property Rights regime based on the inherent nature of what it seeks to control and restrict – poly-existentials: all that can be learned and remembered and all that is digital.

Poly-Existentials are poly-possessable. Assignment of restrictive ownership to what is poly-possessable is in conflict with nature.

The Western Intellectual Property ownership regime is in conflict with nature, it does not serve the ideal intended purpose of societal regulations, i.e. to balance rights equitably among conflicting constituencies. On the contrary, it has the effect of enriching a minority of powerful vested interests, to the very great detriment of society at large. The detrimental effects include the obstruction of engineering creativity, a distortion of the competitive business environment, and denial of the benefits thereof to the public.

Many societies fully reject the basic concept of patents and copyright. Yet, the Western Intellectual Property ownership regime is portrayed by Westerners as universal and global. Since poly-existence and digital entities are inherently not restricted by borders, the nature of global Internet demands rejection of the Western Intellectual Property ownership regime.

4.3  The Concept Of Libre-Halaal

In the “Libre-Halaal” label, Libre indicates that:

1. The scope of consideration of Halaal is manner-of-existence of poly-existentials.
2. We reject the Western IPR regime. That the natural right to copy and the natural right to apply knowledge are the basis of our ideology.

Halaal indicates that:

1. We are rooted in philosophy and morality — Not just economics.
2. For each form of poly-existential, the manner-of-existence that permit Professions to safeguard society and humanity are the Halaal manner-of-existence for that poly-existential.

And the concept of Libre-Halaal conveys the union of these.

5  Halaal Functionality and Halaal Usage Of Software

There are three dimensions of software relevant to being considered Halaal or Haraam:

• Software manner-of-existence
• Software capabilities (functionality)
• Software usage

Software capabilities and usage are not within scope and are not the topic of this definition. By software capabilities, we mean what the software is built to accomplish, for good or ill. Examples of software built for ill might be spying, tracking, invasion of privacy. By software usage, we mean how the software is used, regardless of its intended purpose. Consideration of what constitutes Halaal software based on capabilities and usage is primarily the domain of ethicists.

The topic of this definition is software manner-of-existence. What makes for Halaal or Haraam software manner-of-existence directly affects and involves the software engineering profession.

6  Legitimacy Of This Definition Of Libre-Halaal Software

The drivers for this Definition Of Libre-Halaal Software are:

• Health Of Society and Humanity
• Preservation of The Individual’s Autonomy and Privacy
• Harmony with nature of poly-existentials, digital constructs and software
• Rejection of the Western Intelectual Property Rights regime
• Role and responsibilities of the Software Engineering profession

This Definition Of Libre-Halaal Software is in the context of an agreement between Society/Humanity and Software Engineering profession.

So, legitimacy of this definition of Libre-Halaal software are legitimacy of these values, this model and logic.

Consistent with this ideology, we have created a digital ecosystem called:

The Libre-Halaal ByStar Digital Ecosystem
A Unified and Non-Proprietary Model For Autonomous Internet Services
A Moral Alternative To The Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem
http://www.by-star.net
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/180016 — []

With ByStar, we are creating a complete parallel digital ecosystem to compete with and stand against the existing Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem. Above all, ByStar is about preservation of the individual’s autonomy and privacy.

The Libre-Halaal Software definition is being adhered to within the Libre-Halaal ByStar Digital Ecosystem.

There we promote development and usage of halaal «حلال» manner-of-existence of software and halaal manner-of-existence of internet application services. We want to discourage development and usage of Proprietary-Haraam Software and Haraam Internet Application Services. We do this based on an ethical belief system that recognizes responsibility of the engineering profession to society, which in turn demands the Halaal manner-of-existence of Software.

7  Software In The Libre-Halaal ByStar Digital Ecosystem

All software in The Libre-Halaal ByStar Digital Ecosystem is and shall continue to be Libre-Halaal Software.

In the Western IPR regime, this is accomplished by subjecting ByStar software to the most restrictive applicable General Public License.

Outside of the Western IPR regime, when the society demands Libre-Halaal Software, the software engineering profession is responsible for self imposing Criterion 3, 4 and 5 perpetually.

8  Free Software and FOSS Vs. Libre-Halaal Software

“Free Software” and “Open-Source Software” (OSS) and their union “Free and Open-Source Software” (FOSS) also represent efforts in progressing and shaping the Non-Proprietary software model. Each of these present definitions, ideologies and labels.

In a document titled:

FOSS Vs Libre-Halaal Software
In Search Of The Right Societal Label And Definition
For The Right Manner-Of-Existence Of Software
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/180046 — []

We survey and analyze different ways of labeling and defining manners-of-existence of software.

We conclude that Free Software, Open-Source Software, and FOSS definitions and labels are problematic and incapable of establishing the right relationship between the Software Engineering profession and Society.

We introduce the definition and label of “Libre-Halaal Software” as the right convergence point.

We invite our “Free Software” and “Open-Source” brothers and sisters to recognize that the “Libre-Halaal Software” model is a more complete model and that the “Libre-Halaal Software” label is a better label.

9  Transformation of Software into Services

The widespread usage of the Internet has caused a major shift in the model for software usage. It is now common for software to take the form and be accessed in the form of Internet Services.

Hence Libre-Halaal Services need to build on Libre-Halaal Software.

10  Libre-Halaal Services – Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Internet Services

In parallel with http://www.HalaalSoftware.org, we have created the http://www.LibreServices.org site for further cultivation of the concept of Libre-Halaal Services.

In the document titled:

Libre-Halaal Services:
Defining Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Internet Application Services
A non-proprietary model for delivery of Internet services
http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/180045 — []

We introduce the concept of “Libre-Halaal Services” and describe the model for guaranteeing internal transparency of Internet application services in a collaborative environment.

Internet services are in essence access to remote execution of software. Fundamental Difference between software and service is possessibility. Possession is personal and increases autonomy. Lack of possession decreases autonomy. Hence, software by nature is less of a threat than internet services are to autonomy.

Libre-Halaal Services are an extension of the principles of Libre-Halaal software into the Internet services domain. They are Internet services that can be freely copied and reused by anyone. The Libre Services model exists in relation to the proprietary Internet services model of Apple, MSN, Yahoo and Google, in an analogous way to how GNU/Linux exists in relation to Microsoft Windows.

We then build on the concept of Libre-Halaal Services and introduce the concepts of Autonomous Libre-Halaal Services and Federations of Autonomous Libre-Halaal Services.

11  A Project of The Free Protocols Foundation (FPF)

The Free Protocols Foundation (FPF) is a global independent public forum, dedicated to the support of the internet engineering profession towards our profession’s responsibility to society and humanity.

FPF supports activities related to Libre-Halaal Software and Libre-Halaal Services.

If you want to particpate and support Libre-Halaal Software activites consider joining us. The initial contact URL is: http://www.freeprotocols.org/contact

12  Thoughts And Feedback Request

We can benefit from your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts. You can send us your comments, criticisms and corrections via the URL http://mohsen.1.banan.byname.net/contact, or by email to feedback@ our base domain, which is mohsen.1.banan.byname.net.

We thank you for your assistance.