[okfn-discuss] Open Knowledge Definition: new site and v1.0

Rufus Pollock rufus.pollock at okfn.org
Tue Aug 8 07:42:46 UTC 2006


Thanks to the promptings of Jo Walsh the open knowledge definition was 
given its own site a couple of weeks back (using a moinmoin backend). 
After a final consultation with the list I think we'll be ready to bump 
the version to v1.0 and put in a redirect from the existing url: 
(http://www.okfn.org/okd/)

Feedback would be greatly appreciated on the following:

1. The subdomain at which the definition should live. Jo suggested

   <http://def.okfn.org/>

But others such as Francis have indicated a preference for:

   <http://okd.okfn.org/>

Both are in use at present and once we make a decision we can implement 
a redirect so that all traffic goes to the one chosen.

2. Any comments on the new site as well as any final changes to the 
definition before v1.0 is formally announced. Current v1.0 is at:

   <http://okd.okfn.org/1.0/>

And i've taken the liberty of including at the bottom of the email 
below. If you wish to edit onsite there is a development version which 
is world writable at:

   <http://okd.okfn.org/dev/>

One example of a change already suggested (by Francis) was that item 6 
on integrity should be part of item 3 on reuse.

Regards,

Rufus

--------

= Open Knowledge Defintion v1.0 =

== Terminology ==

The term '''knowledge''' is taken to include:

   1. Content such as music, films, books
   2. Data be it scientific, historical, geographic or otherwise
   3. Government and other administrative information

Software is excluded despite its obvious centrality because it is 
already adequately addressed by previous work.

The term '''work''' will be used to denote the item of knowledge at issue.

The term '''package''' may also be used to denote a collection of works. 
Of course such a package may be considered a work in itself.

The term '''license''' refers to the legal license under which the work 
is made available. Where no license has been made this should be 
interpreted as referring to the resulting default legal conditions under 
which the work is available (for example copyright).

== The Definition ==

A work is open if its manner of distribution satisfies the following 
conditions:

=== 1. Access ===

The work shall be available as a whole and at no more than a reasonable 
reproduction cost, preferably downloading via the Internet without 
charge. The work must also be available in a convenient and modifiable form.

=== 2. Redistribution ===

The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the 
work either on its own or as part of a package made from works from many 
different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee 
for such sale or distribution.

=== 3. Reuse ===

The license must allow for modifications and derivative works and must 
allow them to be distributed under the terms of the original work.

=== 4. Absence of Technological Restriction ===

The work must be provided in such a form that there are no technological 
obstacles to the performance of the above activities. This can be 
achieved by the provision of the work in an open data format, i.e. one 
whose specification is publicly and freely available and which places no 
restrictions monetary or otherwise upon its use.

=== 5. Attribution ===

The license may require as a condition for redistribution and re-use the 
attribution of the contributors and creators to the work. If this 
condition is imposed it must not be onerous. For example if attribution 
is required a list of those requiring attribution should accompany the work.

=== 6. Integrity ===

The license may require as a condition for the work being distributed in 
modified form that the resulting work carry a different name or version 
number from the original work.

=== 7. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups ===

The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.

=== 8. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor ===

The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the work in a 
specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the work 
from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.

=== 9. Distribution of License ===

The rights attached to the work must apply to all to whom the work is 
redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by 
those parties.

=== 10. License Must Not Be Specific to a Package ===

The rights attached to the work must not depend on the work being part 
of a particular package. If the work is extracted from that package and 
used or distributed within the terms of the work's license, all parties 
to whom the work is redistributed should have the same rights as those 
that are granted in conjunction with the original package.

=== 11. License Must Not Restrict the Distribution of Other Works ===

The license must not place restrictions on other works that are 
distributed along with the licensed work. For example, the license must 
not insist that all other works distributed on the same medium are open.




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