bluebox | Open source considerations

There are a number of potential advantages and benefits in developing and utilising open source as a way to distribute software at QUT:

A high degree of community involvement and buy-in with increased opportunities for collaboration with other researchers can result.
Improved product quality by drawing on the expertise of a broader user / tester population.
May alleviate concerns about ongoing viability of research.
Can sometimes decrease research and development costs.
Provides alternate sources of revenue through the adoption of appropriate business models and strategies.

Before adopting an open source licence or using open source as the chosen path to make software publicly available for your research, the following issues should be carefully considered:

Has the source code been developed as part of a grant, contract or some other form of sponsorship that results in an entity other that QUT owning the code?
Does the source code contain any student contributions? Under the QUT IP Policy a student normally owns the IP created during their course of study. In order for QUT to be able to release that software under an open source licence the student will be required to assign their IP to QUT by executing a Student Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Deed . By doing so the student may then be entitled to a share in any benefits that may be realised through commercialisation.
Are there contractual commitments surrounding the software that QUT has entered into?
Has any third party code been used or incorporated in the project (including code developed by colleagues, as well as existing open or closed source code)?
Are there any restrictions, protections and limitations that QUT requires for the software?
In what fields is the software to be applied and what do you want others to be able to do with the software?
Does the software have commercial potential and what is the most appropriate commercialisation strategy?

If you believe that software that you have developed at QUT would be best released under an open source licence, or wish to dislose your project to us, we encourage you to contact bluebox. We will work with you to determine the most appropriate licensing option to take given your particular circumstances.

Open source materials for research

Similar issues need to be evaluated when using open source materials for your research. Open source licences may contain restrictions or obligations that could be incompatible with your research.

Before using any open source software in your research consider carefully the licence terms, as well as the following questions:

Is the software to become part of a funded or sponsored project? The associated agreement may restrict you from complying with the open source licence terms.
Are you able to accept the licence terms and possibly be obligated to release any modifications created to the public?
Is the project a joint development with other parts of QUT or industry participant?
Would you like to commercialise the results of your research?
If required, how will the software be released and distributed?
How valuable is the research to QUT?
What other intellectual property (patent, trade secrets, etc) may through use be associated with the software?

The above are just a few issues relevant to using open source software for your research to avoid adverse consequences (i.e. breaching funding terms, jeopardizing existing or future funds, or exposing QUT and yourself to possible litigation).

We encourage you to contact us before using any software released under an open source licence for your research.