[OSGeo-Discuss] copyright assignment

[Tim Schaub]

Hey-

I'm interested making simpler the process of collecting & maintaining 
contributor agreements.  Specifically in the case where a project wishes 
to have contributors transfer copyright to OSGeo.

I recently had the pleasure of "signing" an agreement (copyright 
assignment) digitally.  I know the rules for what is acceptable probably 
vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  Does anybody know where a 
digital signature suffices?

Currently, I think the process is that the PSC is responsible for 
collecting agreements from contributors.  The PSC then sends these 
agreements to the OSGeo Secretary.  The OSGeo Secretary maintains the 
agreements.  Not sure how this is working out.

I wonder if something simpler would be possible.

Sample copyright assignment form:
http://tinyurl.com/copyright-assignment

And the records:
http://tinyurl.com/assignments-on-file

Anybody know if this could be made legitimate?  Would OSGeo be amenable 
to having things work this way?  Is this a pipe dream?

Thanks,
Tim

-- 
Tim Schaub
OpenGeo - http://opengeo.org
Expert service straight from the developers.