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  •   about 15 years ago

Open Source Requirement

Could the contest sponsors clarify what is meant by having the application conform to one of the OSI's opensource licenses? Does this mean that the source code is going to be posted for download? If so, then this seems to jeopardize the assurances that "intellectual property" will remain with the developers - which is a big concern if commercial viability will be maintained.
Similarly, what is the standard of "pubically accessible" data? Many data sources are not published on data.gov, but can be found buried on publically-accessible government websites. I'm sure many others will want to know what is going to be acceptable to the judges before developing something that could be disqualified on a technicality.
 
Thanks.

  • 3 comments

  •   •   about 15 years ago

    I have exactly the same question.  We're a funded startup and we have developed groundbreaking technology to visualize government data on mobile devices.  Our investors will not allow us to give away the technology we have developed on their dime over the last years.
    We'd love to participate but we can't submit an app and lose all proprietary rights.
    This question was asked 12 days ago.  Could the organization answer this so we can get started?

  •   •   about 15 years ago

    The rules seem to be clear that the app must be made available under a an Open Source License. 

  • Manager   •   about 15 years ago

    Could the contest sponsors clarify what having the application conform to one of the OSI’s opensource licenses means? 
    A: The OSI license is the standard license for code that is released to be open source, or available for use by other developers in certain scenarios and with certain restrictions. To learn more, visit: http://www.opensource.org/licenses/index.html
    Does this mean that the source code is going to be posted for download? If so, then this seems to jeopardize the assurances that "intellectual property" will remain with the developers - which is a big concern if commercial viability will be maintained. A: depending on the OSI license, the source code of the applications would be made available according to the the terms of that license. Apps for Communities will comply with those terms when making the winning app available to the public.
    What is the standard of "publically accessible" data? A: Data that is freely accessible and available without license, copyright, usage, or procurement fee is considered publically available in these circumstances.

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