Changes for page Governance & Open Source Model (from Gemini)
Last modified by Robert Schaub on 2025/12/24 20:30
From version 2.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/24 14:17
on 2025/11/24 14:17
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To version 3.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/24 14:18
on 2025/11/24 14:18
Change comment:
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... ... @@ -1,0 +1,62 @@ 1 +=((FactHarbor Open Source, Governance & Financing Model))= 2 +== Version 0.1 (Draft) == 3 +(Human-Readable Specification) 4 + 5 +== 0. Overview == 6 +FactHarbor is a long-term public knowledge infrastructure. 7 + 8 +Its governance model must ensure: 9 +* Integrity against manipulation 10 +* Transparency of reasoning and code 11 +* Longevity beyond any single founder 12 +* Sustainability via realistic financing 13 +* Openness without compromising trust 14 +* Legal compliance under Swiss, EU, and US frameworks 15 + 16 +This document defines the Open Source Model, Governance Model, and Financing Model across two phases: 17 +* '''Startup Phase''' — Founder-led, lightweight, flexible 18 +* '''Non-Profit Organization (Swiss Verein) Phase''' — Stable, community-governed, mission-locked 19 + 20 +The transition is triggered by maturity and community growth, not a predetermined date. 21 + 22 +== 1. Licensing Model == 23 +=== 1.1 Open Source License — AGPLv3 === 24 +The GNU Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3) is selected because it: 25 +* Ensures full transparency of all server-side modifications 26 +* Forces any fork or remote service to publish source code 27 +* Protects against hidden logic changes (critical for truth-based systems) 28 +* Allows commercial activity if and only if source modifications remain open 29 +AGPLv3 is the strongest available license aligned with FactHarbor’s mission of trust, transparency, and manipulation resistance. 30 + 31 +=== 1.2 Branding, Attribution & Name Protection === 32 +* '''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.'' 33 +* '''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. 34 + 35 +== 2. Copyright, CLA & Intellectual Property == 36 +=== 2.1 Copyright Ownership === 37 +* '''Startup Phase:''' Founder holds copyright to all FactHarbor code, AI templates, documentation, and assets. Third-party contributors retain copyright to their individual contributions. 38 +* '''Non-Profit Phase:''' All relevant assets transfer to the Verein (see Section 3.2.3). 39 + 40 +=== 2.2 Contributor License Agreement (CLA) === 41 +All contributors must sign a CLA before contributions can be merged. The CLA states: 42 +Contributors retain their original copyright, but they grant the FactHarbor Organization (Founder → later Swiss Verein): 43 +* A '''perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license''' to use, modify, sublicense, and redistribute their contributions under AGPLv3. 44 +* The '''explicit right to enforce AGPLv3''', including filing legal action against infringers and defending license terms, acting on the contributor’s behalf where necessary. 45 + 46 +=== 2.3 Core Components and Enforcement === 47 +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. 48 + 49 +== 3. Governance Model == 50 +FactHarbor uses '''Stewardship Governance''' — where strategic control remains with a trusted core group to prevent hijacking and ensure mission alignment. 51 + 52 +=== 3.1 Startup Phase Governance === 53 +* '''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. 54 +* '''3.1.2 Core Team (Future Addition):''' The Founder may appoint trusted individuals. Security-sensitive changes require multi-party approval. 55 +* '''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). 56 + 57 +=== 3.2 Non-Profit Organization (Swiss Verein) Governance === 58 +The transition occurs when FactHarbor reaches organizational maturity, forming a '''Swiss Verein''' with mission-driven statutes and no profit distribution allowed. 59 + 60 +* '''3.2.1 Governance Bodies:''' Includes the '''Steering Council''' (central decision-making), '''Core Maintainers''' (code review/merges), and '''Security Council''' (security veto/audits). 61 +* '''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. 62 +* '''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.