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Welcome to the algorithm repository ("the repository") of the Fundamental Instrument Unit (FIU), National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), 1685 38th Street, Boulder, CO 80301, U.S.A. The repository is a place to share and test algorithms, tools, ideas, strategies, and experiences among NEON teams and external working group members, and, last but not least - to meet other algorithm developers. Through sharing our algorithms we as a community gain:

• Easier start for those who intend to learn and apply novel analysis techniques and workflows
• With more code becoming available for reuse, more efficient algorithm development for those who intend to build upon current analysis techniques
• Improved algorithm quality due to increased application, scrutiny, and issue tracking
• Higher level of visibility
• New "collaborative circles" to address common challenges

In short - by sharing algorithms, data, and other accessible content (collectively, "intellectual property"), NEON teams and external working group members can adopt, adapt, and learn from each other. To provide a clear frame of reference for building on and leveraging each other’s work, access and use of the repository, including use and adaptation of intellectual property are subject to the terms of use set forth below.

Terms of use dated 2015-01-16

##Repository maintainers

David Durden [email protected]

Stefan Metzger [email protected]

Cove Sturtevant [email protected]

Natchaya Pingintha-Durden [email protected]

##Agreement

Any legal entity ("author") making available intellectual property via the repository also holds the copyright. These terms of use constitute an agreement between the enrollee for the repository and the copyright holders.

The longer-term goal of the repository is to establish publicly available toolsets and workflows for analyzing observations of the environment, pending copyright holder approval. To simplify and harmonize this process, the repository maintainers will provide a user's guide and a developer's guide based on the PECAn Project. It is the responsibility of the enrollee to adhere to the principles laid out in the user's guide and the developer's guide when using the repository.

##Intellectual property and proprietary rights

It is the responsibility of the author to obtain prior written consent when sharing intellectual property on the repository for which a third party holds the copyright. By making intellectual property available on the repository, the author agrees to use and modification of this intellectual property by other enrolled repository users. If an enrolled user performs modifications that retain compatibility, and successfully shares them back to the repository, he/she holds the copyright on these modifications and becomes co-author. It is the responsibility of all author(s) to clearly document copyright and revision history in the file header of contributed intellectual property, e.g.:

The enrollee understands and acknowledges that intellectual property with a clearly documented copyright may not be sold, offered for sale, or republished, posted, transmitted or redistributed beyond the enrolled users of the repository without prior written permission by the copyright holder(s). If results derived with intellectual property contributed to the repository shall be published, the documented copyright holder(s) must be offered the opportunity to earn co-authorship of the publication, e.g. through development of the manuscript, co-editing, or other substantial intellectual inputs. Contributing intellectual property to the repository that is reused in a publication is not in itself sufficient for demanding co-authorship.

If the copyright holder wants to modify above terms, this must be documented in the file header of the intellectual property contributed to the repository, e.g.:

##Disclaimer

Intellectual property contributed to the repository is provided by the copyright holders "as is" and any expressed or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall the copyright holder be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services, loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of intellectual property contributed to the repository, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.

##Signature

To obtain access to the repository, the enrollee is required to accept this agreement by providing below statement and name information in an Email response to the repository maintainers:

I, >>NAME OF THE ENROLLEE<< accept the terms of use of the NEON FIU algorithm repository dated 2015-01-16; and request access to the NEON FIU algorithm repository.

Suggested amendments for next version

• Manage process: Enrolled user intends to use others code in publication, packaging, re-licensing...
  • Use Github issue tracker to announce intent
  • Grant e.g. minimum 2-week response period