Here are answers to some common questions about the arrangements for contributing to projects. This FAQ covers the contributor licence agreement in use since October 2011.
Why does Pulse-Eight ask contributors to send in the agreement
Pulse-Eight both uses and distributes software around the world to other organisations and users. We need to make sure we and our users are legally entitled to distribute software that includes your contributed code, in a way that will hold for all end-users, wherever in the world they might be.
Do I have to send a new copy of the agreement for each Pulse-Eight project I contribute to?
Fortunately, no — you only need to send one copy of the signed agreement to contribute to projects managed by Pulse-Eight. It covers you for all Pulse-Eight projects, now and in the future. After you submit it for one Pulse-Eight project, you will not have to worry about it again.
Why are there two separate documents; for individuals or companies?
The two are mostly the same, but individuals have to be sure they have their employer’s permission, or whether they’re a minor, while companies have to think about their affiliates. It’s easier to split the two documents than to have individuals and companies trying to sort out which parts are relevant to them.
Who owns the copyright?
The existing contribution owner continues to own their copyright. This is usually yourself, or your employer. Section 2.1(a) states the following:
"You retain ownership of the Copyright in Your Contribution and have the same rights to use or license the Contribution which You would have had without entering into the Agreement."
Can I contribute the same code to other projects as well?
Yes. You retain the full rights to redistribute your own code as you wish. The agreement is not exclusive and you may contribute what you write to as many other projects or organisations as you wish to share it with.
What if I have other questions?
You can email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.