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Version 4.1 by Robert Schaub on 2025/11/25 17:37
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1 = FactHarbor Open Source, Governance & Financing Model =
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3 == Version 0.1 (Draft) ==
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5 == 0. Overview ==
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7 FactHarbor is a long-term public knowledge infrastructure.
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9 Its governance model must ensure:
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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
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18 This document defines the Open Source Model, Governance Model, and Financing Model across two phases:
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20 * '''Startup Phase''' — Founder-led, lightweight, flexible
21 * '''Non-Profit Organisation (Swiss Verein) Phase''' — Stable, community-governed, mission-locked
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23 The transition is triggered by maturity and community growth, not a predetermined date.
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25 == 1. Licensing Model ==
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27 === 1.1 Open Source License — AGPLv3 ===
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29 The GNU Affero General Public License v3 (AGPLv3) is selected because it:
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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.
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37 === 1.2 Branding, Attribution & Name Protection ===
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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.
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42 == 2. Copyright, CLA & Intellectual Property ==
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44 === 2.1 Copyright Ownership ===
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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).
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49 === 2.2 Contributor License Agreement (CLA) ===
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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):
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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.
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57 === 2.3 Core Components and Enforcement ===
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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.
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61 == 3. Governance Model ==
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63 FactHarbor uses '''Stewardship Governance''' — where strategic control remains with a trusted core group to prevent hijacking and ensure mission alignment.
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65 === 3.1 Startup Phase Governance ===
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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).
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71 === 3.2 Non-Profit Organisation (Swiss Verein) Governance ===
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73 The transition occurs when FactHarbor reaches organisational maturity, forming a ''Swiss Verein'' with mission-driven statutes and no profit distribution allowed.
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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.