Open Knowledge, Licensing, and Attribution Policy

1. Purpose

This policy explains the default approach to open publication and the boundaries that remain governed by repository licenses, third-party rights, privacy, contracts, security, and trademark rules.

2. Repository-specific control

The license file, file header, dataset terms, or written agreement attached to a specific work controls that work. General statements on the website do not replace a more specific license.

3. Software

Sustainable Catalyst software may be released under the MIT License unless a repository states otherwise. Dependencies, bundled assets, examples, and generated code may carry different licenses. Reusers are responsible for reviewing the complete dependency and notice chain.

4. Documentation and written content

Documentation is not automatically covered by a software license. A documentation or content license applies only when explicitly stated. Public access permits reading and citation; it does not by itself grant unrestricted republication, resale, or creation of confusingly official derivatives.

5. Data and databases

External datasets retain their original terms. Sustainable Catalyst may publish metadata, transformations, examples, or derived datasets subject to source restrictions. Database rights, API terms, privacy, attribution, and redistribution limits must be respected.

6. Attribution

Required copyright and license notices must be preserved. Modifications should be identified. Where feasible, derivatives should link to the original repository or canonical document and state that the derivative is not an official Sustainable Catalyst release.

7. Responsible reuse

Reusers should preserve material assumptions, uncertainty, source context, and warnings. Open code must not be represented as a guarantee, certification, professional approval, or endorsement. A technically permitted use may still be irresponsible or unlawful in context.

8. Brand and trademark

The Sustainable Catalyst name, logo, product names, visual identity, and associated marks are not granted by an open-source code license. They may not be used to imply partnership, sponsorship, certification, endorsement, or official status without written authorization.

9. Generated outputs

Rights in a generated output depend on inputs, source rights, user contributions, software licenses, and applicable law. The platform does not guarantee that every generated output is free of third-party rights or suitable for redistribution.

10. User and client materials

Uploading or providing material does not transfer ownership except as required to deliver the requested function or engagement. Users must have authority to provide the material. Private or client records are not made open merely because the underlying software is open source.

11. Contributions

Contributions may be accepted through repository-specific processes. Contributors must have the right to submit their work and agree to the governing license and contribution terms. Acceptance does not guarantee roadmap adoption, maintenance, attribution beyond the repository record, or shared control of the project.

12. Security and restricted disclosure

Security vulnerabilities, privacy exposures, credentials, personal data, and dangerous operational details may require private reporting and coordinated disclosure. Openness does not require immediate publication of information that would increase harm.

13. Forks and derivatives

Forks are permitted where the license allows, but they must not present themselves as the official Sustainable Catalyst service. Maintainers of derivatives are responsible for their own security, privacy, support, data practices, and claims.

14. No warranty or support obligation

Open materials are provided as-is to the extent permitted by the controlling license and law. Publication does not create a duty to maintain, update, host, support, or adapt a work for a particular user.

15. Takedown and correction

Good-faith reports of licensing, attribution, privacy, or rights concerns should be reviewed. Material errors may result in correction, replacement, access restriction, or removal while the issue is evaluated.

16. Interpretation

This policy is an institutional operating policy, not a substitute for the license attached to a particular work or for legal advice. Where rights are uncertain, obtain qualified review before redistribution or commercial use.

Revision History