# Benjamin Mako Hill

> Debian hacker, intellectual property researcher, activist and author

**Wikidata**: [Q49656](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49656)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Mako_Hill)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/benjamin-mako-hill

Here’s the structured biographical entry for Benjamin Mako Hill:

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## Summary  
Benjamin Mako Hill is an American computer scientist, free software activist, and researcher known for his contributions to the Debian Project and intellectual property advocacy. He is currently an assistant professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and has been a prominent figure in the free software and free-culture movements. His work focuses on the intersection of technology, law, and social change.

## Biography  
- **Born:** December 2, 1980, in Seattle, USA  
- **Nationality:** United States  
- **Education:** Educated at University Prep, Hampshire College, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology  
- **Known for:** Debian developer and free software advocacy  
- **Employer(s):** MIT Sloan School of Management, University of Washington  
- **Field(s):** Computer science, intellectual property, free software  

## Contributions  
Benjamin Mako Hill has made significant contributions to free software and open knowledge. As a Debian developer since 2002, he has been instrumental in maintaining and advocating for the Debian Project, one of the largest free software collaborations. He co-authored *The Official Ubuntu Book* (2006), a key resource for Ubuntu users. Hill has also researched intellectual property and collaboration dynamics in open-source communities, publishing influential papers on peer production and governance. His leadership roles include serving on the boards of the Wikimedia Foundation, Open Knowledge Foundation, and Software in the Public Interest.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Benjamin Mako Hill’s role in the Debian Project?  
A: Hill became a Debian developer in 2002 and has contributed to the project’s governance and technical development, advocating for free software principles.  

### Q: Where does Benjamin Mako Hill work?  
A: He is an assistant professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and has previously worked at the University of Washington.  

### Q: What are his research interests?  
A: His work focuses on intellectual property, free software, and the social dynamics of collaborative peer production.  

## Why They Matter  
Benjamin Mako Hill’s work bridges technology and social justice, advancing free software and open knowledge. His research on peer production has shaped understanding of how decentralized communities like Wikipedia and Debian function. Without his advocacy, the free-culture movement might lack critical insights into governance and collaboration. His influence extends through his students, publications, and leadership in organizations promoting digital freedom.  

## Notable For  
- **SPARC Innovator Award (2007)** for his advocacy of open access and free software.  
- **Board memberships** in Wikimedia Foundation, Open Knowledge Foundation, and Software in the Public Interest.  
- **Key publications** on peer production and free software, including *The Official Ubuntu Book*.  

## Body  
### Early Life and Education  
- Born December 2, 1980, in Seattle.  
- Attended University Prep, Hampshire College, and MIT.  

### Career  
- **Debian developer** since 2002, contributing to project governance.  
- **Assistant professor** at MIT Sloan School of Management.  
- Former faculty at the University of Washington.  

### Research and Advocacy  
- Focuses on intellectual property and free software.  
- Published papers on peer production and open-source collaboration.  

### Leadership Roles  
- Served on boards of Wikimedia Foundation, Open Knowledge Foundation, and Software in the Public Interest.  

### Personal Life  
- Married to Mika Matsuzaki since 2006.  
- Resides in Seattle.  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Hackers' wedding vows based on Pi and Phi. Boing Boing. 2006](https://boingboing.net/2006/06/08/hackers-wedding-vows.html)
2. [Source](https://nm.debian.org/person/mako/)
3. WorldCat
4. [Source](https://com.uw.edu/people/faculty/benjamin-mako-hill/)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. CiNii Research
8. [Source](http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8588-7429)
9. [Source](http://www.linuxtelecom.com/)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [Why self-documented encounters with a famous image are surprisingly charming.. Legal Affairs. 2013](https://www.legalaffairs.org/feature/mona-lisa-selfies/38264)
12. CONOR.SI
13. Autoritats UB
14. Fatcat