Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 16:57:56 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time) From: "Steven E. Brenner" To: Chris Dagdigian Subject: BOSC 2001 abstract (n.b., I only need a very short period of time to present this.) The Open Source Author's Contract Most universities, national laboratories, companies, and other employers have clauses in their employment contracts that prevent or restrict the creation and use of open source software. Indeed, it seems likely that much of the biological open source software is being produced illegally, in violation of institutions' terms. While benign neglect of enforcement of the institutions' regulations has led to a situation that is generally acceptable, it is not ideal. Several individuals have sought the ability to produce open source software by seeking exemptions or variations of their institutions' intellectual property agreements. However, this is a painstaking process, and the associated legal fees can be costly. I propose that a general contract be drawn up, which has standard terms for individuals to create open source software without undue constraints.