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Last modified by Robert Schaub on 2025/12/24 20:30
From version 4.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/25 17:37
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To version 2.1
edited by Robert Schaub
on 2025/11/24 14:17
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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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.