Business & IndustryAmerican1959 – present

Eben Moglen

Technology lawyer, Free Software Foundation General Counsel, digital rights advocate

Biography

Eben Moglen (born 1959) is an American lawyer, civil liberties advocate, and technology policy expert who has played a crucial role in shaping the legal landscape of open-source software. As the first General Counsel of the Free Software Foundation (FSF), Moglen stewarded the development and refinement of the GNU General Public License (GPL), one of the most important open-source software licenses. He is renowned for his eloquent defenses of free software philosophy and digital freedom, arguing that software freedom is essential to human liberty in the digital age. Moglen founded the Software Freedom Law Center to provide legal support to open-source projects and their developers. His work has been instrumental in protecting the rights of software creators and users, establishing legal precedents that have shaped how millions of developers and companies approach open-source licensing. Beyond technology law, Moglen is an outspoken advocate for privacy rights and digital civil liberties, frequently commenting on surveillance, encryption, and government power in the digital sphere.

The Name Eben

Eben Moglen's prominent role in technology and digital freedom movements has made the name Eben associated with innovation, legal expertise, and principled advocacy in the tech industry.

Other Famous Ebens

Eben Alexander

Neurosurgeon, author of 'Proof of Heaven,' near-death experience researcher

Science & Technology

Quick Facts

Eben

Hebrew origin

“A Hebrew name meaning 'stone of help,' Eben is straightforward and biblical without being overused. The name carries spiritual weight and simplicity, appealing to parents seeking something grounded and meaningful. It has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents embrace shorter biblical names.”