Intellectual Property and Contributions

Updated 2021-05-28

Contributor License Agreements

As of today, the Open Ethics Initiative is asking all contributors to sign a contributor license agreement (CLA).

Information Technology is deeply embedded in all aspects of our lives and it is important that it empowers, rather than restricts us. Software development can follow many patterns. In some cases whole development is handled by a single programmer or a small group of people. But usually, the creation and maintenance of IT products is a complex process that requires the contribution of many individuals. This also affects who owns the rights.

Individual Contributor License Agreement (ICLA)

The aim of the CLA is to prevent fragmentation of rights on one hand, while allowing the Initiative to move fast and safe. This license is for your protection as a Contributor as well as the protection of the Open Ethics Initiative and its users.

By signing the CLA you grant the license to Open Ethics to use your Contribution. CLA does not change Your rights to use Your own Contributions for any other purpose.

So where do I sign? What’s next?

  1. Download a copy of the CLA:
    • Individual Contributor License Agreement (ICLA). If you’re contributing to one of the Open Ethics projects as an individual, this is the form you should use.
    • Corporate Contributor License Agreement (CCLA). If you’re contributing to one of the Open Ethics projects as part of your job, you and your employer will need to download and sign this form.
  2. Sign the CLA in a PDF editor; or print, sign, and scan it.
  3. Email the CLA to the Open Ethics Initiative at [email protected]