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This French law legally established in 1901 the freedom of association, a principle that emerged later in France than it did in Great Britain (1864 as against 1825). The law defines an association as ‘the convention according to which two or more individuals permanently pool together in common knowledge or activity with an aim other than sharing profit’. A simple declaration to local government is required to obtain a legal status, and the members choose the governance of the non-profit organization. This very simple and flexible law still exists in France and inspired the legislation of some other European countries such as Belgium, Spain and Italy.