Could you explain NOFs attitude to copyright ownership of bespoke software, custom databases and schemas developed for NOF-digi projects?
An explanation of NOF’s IPR conditions and to issues around Open Source systems follows. 1. The NOF IPR conditions specify (page 4 under Definitions) that ‘Material means any documentation or material (including without limitation software and databases) to be provided to the Fund etc..’ This is further explained in the guidance letter (13 August 02 under ‘Definitions’ and under ‘2.2 Licences’ on page 4) …’in the case of material that is delivered with software or databases specially written for this project (including any adaptation of commercially available software or databases) The Fund would expect that any commercial exploitation would recognise the use of public funds in the generation of the material. Significant commercial exploitation might involve grant repayment.’ 2. The IPR conditions give the Fund the right to use the materials developed for the programme but do not provide for any ‘transfer’ of IPR. This is an important difference. The Fund will not ‘own’ the IPR to ma
