<div dir="auto"><div>Thanks for the updates and the research. <div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">While it is an intensive process, I do think it is possible to get help from this community and supporting actors. The example of the group which will help with "hostile takeovers" shows a path. I also appreciate how the LCCWG subcommittee is breaking down the process into parts to discuss, explore and document. These two examples show me how we can be productive. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Is there a wiki page or other document with background research and asks? </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">With thanks, </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Heather </div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, 19 Jun 2021, 19:34 Guillaume Rischard, <<a href="mailto:guillaume.rischard@osmfoundation.org">guillaume.rischard@osmfoundation.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="word-wrap:break-word;line-break:after-white-space">Hi all,<div><br></div><div>The OSMF board is considering relocating the OSMF to the EU. We haven’t taken our decision yet, and would like to first consult its membership for feedback, advice and whether we’ve missed anything.</div><div><br></div><div>There is not one reason for moving, but a multitude of paper cuts, most of which have been triggered or amplified by Brexit:</div><div><br></div><div><div>• One important reason is keeping <i>sui generis</i> database rights (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sui-generis-database-rights-after-the-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sui-generis-database-rights-after-the-</a>transition-period) in the EU. We still have other protections, but this is a solid one and has been useful in the past.<br></div>• Banking, finance and using PayPal in the UK is becoming more and more complicated and expensive.</div><div>• We might be able to get charity status, and make our donations tax-deductible. We paid about £6000 in tax in the last fiscal year, but this will increase geometrically as we raise money for iD and the senior reliability engineer job.</div><div>• We would be allowed to keep our .EU domains ourselves</div><div>• We could more effectively lobby the EU, EU governments and have more of an impact, especially in countries where there is no local chapter.</div><div>• Managing membership could become easier</div><div>• We could more easily employ people in the EU</div><div><br></div><div>The negative side is that it would mean a <i>lot</i> of work, and cost time and money.</div><div><br></div><div>Some points to consider when moving:</div><div><br></div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Asset transfer, especially intellectual property</div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Will this have an effect on the contributor agreement? </div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">• </span>Porting the AoA to another legal system – adding maybe asset locks and takeover protection mechanisms.</div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">• </span>Change membership? Does every member need to agree?</div><div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">• </span>Would donations be tax-free EU wide?</div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">• </span> Move the whole foundation? A hybrid approach – keeping the “main” OSMF in the UK and having a sister OSMF in the EU – might reduce the effort or even work better.</div></div><div><br></div><div>We are not focusing on a certain country yet, but have instead made a list of criteria:</div><div><br></div><div>Requirements (Must)<br><br><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Retention of current license and contributor terms<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Legal successor to OSMF corporation if/when the OSMF is dissolved<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Formal non-profit status so we don’t pay income tax<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• No requirement for any director to be resident in country of incorporation (this excludes Ireland)<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Relevant laws permit bank accounts to be held by resident non-profits with non-resident members and directors<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Communication in English with banks and local authorities is possible (this probably excludes France)</div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Democratic control. One-person-one-vote<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Ability to have “members”/directors from all (nearly all?) countries<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• EU sui generis database protection<br></div><div><br></div>Highly desirable (Should)<br><br><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Tax-deductible donations<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Low cost of transferring assets from the UK<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Minimal overhead and reporting requirements<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Legal structure easy to understand for community members, donors, and the public<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Ability to employ people<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• AoA can be written in English<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Accounting can be done in English<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Banking available in EUR, GBP and USD<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Banking available fully in English<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Low non-profit maintenance costs<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Ability to take donations from 501c3 charities in the US</div><div><br></div>Desirable (Could)<br><br><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• English-language legal system<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Low incorporation cost<br></div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>• Corporate address can be maildrop for forwarding</div></div><div><br></div><div>What do you think? Is there anything we’ve missed? Have we missed easier ways of solving some of our issues?</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks,</div><div><br></div><div>Guillaume (treasurer) and the rest of the OSMF board</div><div><br></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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