Skip to Content
Last modified by Robert Schaub on 2025/12/24 20:30
From version 3.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/24 14:18
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
... ... @@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
1 -=((FactHarbor Open Source, Governance & Financing Model))=
1 += FactHarbor Open Source, Governance & Financing Model =
2 +
2 2  == Version 0.1 (Draft) ==
3 -(Human-Readable Specification)
4 4  
5 5  == 0. Overview ==
6 +
6 6  FactHarbor is a long-term public knowledge infrastructure.
7 7  
8 8  Its governance model must ensure:
10 +
9 9  * Integrity against manipulation
10 10  * Transparency of reasoning and code
11 11  * Longevity beyond any single founder
... ... @@ -14,14 +14,18 @@
14 14  * Legal compliance under Swiss, EU, and US frameworks
15 15  
16 16  This document defines the Open Source Model, Governance Model, and Financing Model across two phases:
19 +
17 17  * '''Startup Phase''' — Founder-led, lightweight, flexible
18 -* '''Non-Profit Organization (Swiss Verein) Phase''' — Stable, community-governed, mission-locked
21 +* '''Non-Profit Organisation (Swiss Verein) Phase''' — Stable, community-governed, mission-locked
19 19  
20 20  The transition is triggered by maturity and community growth, not a predetermined date.
21 21  
22 22  == 1. Licensing Model ==
26 +
23 23  === 1.1 Open Source License — AGPLv3 ===
28 +
24 24  The GNU Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3) is selected because it:
30 +
25 25  * Ensures full transparency of all server-side modifications
26 26  * Forces any fork or remote service to publish source code
27 27  * Protects against hidden logic changes (critical for truth-based systems)
... ... @@ -29,34 +29,43 @@
29 29  AGPLv3 is the strongest available license aligned with FactHarbor’s mission of trust, transparency, and manipulation resistance.
30 30  
31 31  === 1.2 Branding, Attribution & Name Protection ===
38 +
32 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 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 34  
35 35  == 2. Copyright, CLA & Intellectual Property ==
43 +
36 36  === 2.1 Copyright Ownership ===
45 +
37 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 38  * '''Non-Profit Phase:''' All relevant assets transfer to the Verein (see Section 3.2.3).
39 39  
40 40  === 2.2 Contributor License Agreement (CLA) ===
50 +
41 41  All contributors must sign a CLA before contributions can be merged. The CLA states:
42 42  Contributors retain their original copyright, but they grant the FactHarbor Organization (Founder → later Swiss Verein):
53 +
43 43  * A '''perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license''' to use, modify, sublicense, and redistribute their contributions under AGPLv3.
44 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 45  
46 46  === 2.3 Core Components and Enforcement ===
58 +
47 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 48  
49 49  == 3. Governance Model ==
62 +
50 50  FactHarbor uses '''Stewardship Governance''' — where strategic control remains with a trusted core group to prevent hijacking and ensure mission alignment.
51 51  
52 52  === 3.1 Startup Phase Governance ===
66 +
53 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 54  * '''3.1.2 Core Team (Future Addition):''' The Founder may appoint trusted individuals. Security-sensitive changes require multi-party approval.
55 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 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.
71 +=== 3.2 Non-Profit Organisation (Swiss Verein) Governance ===
59 59  
73 +The transition occurs when FactHarbor reaches organisational maturity, forming a ''Swiss Verein'' with mission-driven statutes and no profit distribution allowed.
74 +
60 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 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 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.