Last modified by Robert Schaub on 2025/12/24 20:30

From version 1.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/24 14:17
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 4.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/25 17:37
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

Summary

Details

Page properties
Content
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,77 @@
1 += FactHarbor Open Source, Governance & Financing Model =
2 +
3 +== Version 0.1 (Draft) ==
4 +
5 +== 0. Overview ==
6 +
7 +FactHarbor is a long-term public knowledge infrastructure.
8 +
9 +Its governance model must ensure:
10 +
11 +* Integrity against manipulation
12 +* Transparency of reasoning and code
13 +* Longevity beyond any single founder
14 +* Sustainability via realistic financing
15 +* Openness without compromising trust
16 +* Legal compliance under Swiss, EU, and US frameworks
17 +
18 +This document defines the Open Source Model, Governance Model, and Financing Model across two phases:
19 +
20 +* '''Startup Phase''' — Founder-led, lightweight, flexible
21 +* '''Non-Profit Organisation (Swiss Verein) Phase''' — Stable, community-governed, mission-locked
22 +
23 +The transition is triggered by maturity and community growth, not a predetermined date.
24 +
25 +== 1. Licensing Model ==
26 +
27 +=== 1.1 Open Source License — AGPLv3 ===
28 +
29 +The GNU Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3) is selected because it:
30 +
31 +* Ensures full transparency of all server-side modifications
32 +* Forces any fork or remote service to publish source code
33 +* Protects against hidden logic changes (critical for truth-based systems)
34 +* Allows commercial activity if and only if source modifications remain open
35 +AGPLv3 is the strongest available license aligned with FactHarbor’s mission of trust, transparency, and manipulation resistance.
36 +
37 +=== 1.2 Branding, Attribution & Name Protection ===
38 +
39 +* '''1.2.A Trademark:''' FactHarbor name, logo, and brand elements are protected via trademark (held by Founder initially, then transferred to Verein). ''Purpose: Prevent malicious forks impersonating FactHarbor.''
40 +* '''1.2.B Attribution Guidelines (Non-Binding):''' FactHarbor requests (but does not require) that public-facing deployments display: “Powered by FactHarbor.” This is a guideline, fully compatible with AGPLv3.
41 +
42 +== 2. Copyright, CLA & Intellectual Property ==
43 +
44 +=== 2.1 Copyright Ownership ===
45 +
46 +* '''Startup Phase:''' Founder holds copyright to all FactHarbor code, AI templates, documentation, and assets. Third-party contributors retain copyright to their individual contributions.
47 +* '''Non-Profit Phase:''' All relevant assets transfer to the Verein (see Section 3.2.3).
48 +
49 +=== 2.2 Contributor License Agreement (CLA) ===
50 +
51 +All contributors must sign a CLA before contributions can be merged. The CLA states:
52 +Contributors retain their original copyright, but they grant the FactHarbor Organization (Founder → later Swiss Verein):
53 +
54 +* A '''perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license''' to use, modify, sublicense, and redistribute their contributions under AGPLv3.
55 +* The '''explicit right to enforce AGPLv3''', including filing legal action against infringers and defending license terms, acting on the contributor’s behalf where necessary.
56 +
57 +=== 2.3 Core Components and Enforcement ===
58 +
59 +The organization may optionally request a Copyright Assignment Agreement (CAA) for critical subsystems (e.g., the AKEL engine), but this is not required at this stage.
60 +
61 +== 3. Governance Model ==
62 +
63 +FactHarbor uses '''Stewardship Governance''' — where strategic control remains with a trusted core group to prevent hijacking and ensure mission alignment.
64 +
65 +=== 3.1 Startup Phase Governance ===
66 +
67 +* '''3.1.1 Founder Leadership:''' Founder acts as Sole Maintainer, approves all merges, manages releases, and has final authority over technical and strategic decisions. Founder has legal responsibility.
68 +* '''3.1.2 Core Team (Future Addition):''' The Founder may appoint trusted individuals. Security-sensitive changes require multi-party approval.
69 +* '''3.1.3 Founder Succession Plan:''' Before transitioning, the Founder will define a succession mechanism in the Governance Charter (e.g., Founder-appointed successor, Steering Council ratification).
70 +
71 +=== 3.2 Non-Profit Organisation (Swiss Verein) Governance ===
72 +
73 +The transition occurs when FactHarbor reaches organisational maturity, forming a ''Swiss Verein'' with mission-driven statutes and no profit distribution allowed.
74 +
75 +* '''3.2.1 Governance Bodies:''' Includes the '''Steering Council''' (central decision-making), '''Core Maintainers''' (code review/merges), and '''Security Council''' (security veto/audits).
76 +* '''3.2.2 Founder’s Role After Transition:''' The Founder becomes a Permanent Steering Council member and strategic vision holder, but decisions follow the Governance Charter.
77 +* '''3.2.3 Asset Transfer Protocol (Critical Legal Step):''' At the moment the Swiss Verein is formally created, a documented '''Asset Transfer Agreement''' is executed, conveying Copyright, Domains, Repositories, and Trademarks from the Founder to the Verein.