Are Bitcoin Developers Under Attack?

Can the legal battles of Bitcoin developers impact the future of open-source software? Jess Jonas from the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund delves into this complex issue.

In this Premium Interview, Laura talks with Jessica Jonas, the chief legal officer of the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit backed by Jack Dorsey, Alex Morcos, Martin White, and Jonas herself.

A seasoned American lawyer, Jonas delves into the controversial lawsuits lodged by Craig Wright in the UK against  Bitcoin core developers, who are on trial for their working on the software.

The discussion explores far more than Bitcoin-related legal disputes; it unearths a wider issue threatening the open-source community. Jonas warns that if Wright emerges victorious in court, this could destabilize the fundamental principles of open-source licenses. This ripple effect could deter global developers and disrupt the continued innovation and functioning of technology leaning heavily on open-source software.

Show highlights:

• 🛡️ The structure and purpose of the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund

• ⚖️ How a lawsuit against Bitcoin core developers sparked the initiative

• 📑 The intricacies of the lawsuit 

• 👥 The potential for open-source software developers to become fiduciaries 

• 🌍 The nuances of jurisdiction testing in the UK, including jurisdiction extensions for non-UK residents

• 💰 The typical litigation costs in the UK and how the Fund is financed 

• 🏛️ whether the cases could potentially set precedents for other jurisdictions 

• ❌ Why Jessica says that there's a fundamental misunderstanding of open-source software

• 📜 How Craig Wright is claiming IP against Bitcoin core developers, banking on his assertion of being Satoshi Nakamoto

For those who are not Premium subscribers yet, here’s a sneak peek 👁️

---

What is a behind-the-scenes interview?

Behind-the-scenes interviews have long been part of my journalistic process. With only 100 episodes of Unchained slots per year, it's impossible to fit every project, creator, or builder into the editorial calendar. However, I love to learn about the latest developments in crypto, so I usually conduct a few such interviews per month with projects who I might want to have on an episode.

These chats usually last 30 minutes and I rarely do much research or write questions for them -- so get ready for tons of straightforward questions and more banter than you might find in an Unchained episode.

---

🚀 To access the full interview, subscribe!

If you are already a Premium subscriber, you’ll find the link below ⬇️