RE License Development Overview

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Rebel Earthling License (RE License) is an adaptable, traceable, and community-centered license designed to support the creation of ethical, sustainable, and modular projects. This page provides an overview of key elements, guiding principles, and essential tools needed to develop content under the RE License and keep its modular structure aligned with Seigr’s values.

Core Goals of the RE License

The RE License has been designed with several primary goals in mind:

  • Transparency and Traceability: Each contribution and update is documented, traceable, and verifiable, allowing for a full history of every project.
  • Modularity and Collaboration: Contributors work in layers, called Contribution Units (CUs), creating a structure that allows each element to retain independent value and attribution.
  • Ethical, Sustainable Use: RE-licensed projects are intended to align with Seigr’s environmental and ethical values, promoting responsible innovation and creativity.

Key Elements of the RE License

The RE License structure incorporates essential elements for tracking, collaborating, and sustaining community-centered projects.

1. Contribution Units (CUs)

A Contribution Unit (CU) is a modular block of content (e.g., an audio track, code segment, or text section) within an RE-licensed project. Each CU includes:

  • Independent Signature: Contributors sign CUs using a name, pseudonym, digital wallet, or other identifiers.
  • Detailed Metadata: Each CU includes metadata such as contributor role, date, version, and any links to other CUs.
  • Contribution Chains: CUs connect through Contribution Chains, establishing traceable relationships between layers. For instance, an audio track CU might link to a CU for mixing and mastering.

This modular structure ensures that each CU retains its own metadata while contributing to the overall project.

2. Collaborative Contribution Log

The Collaborative Contribution Log creates a transparent, comprehensive record of each CU across versions and collaborators. This log includes:

  • Contributor Name(s): All creators for each CU within the project.
  • Contribution Type: Description of each change (e.g., “code update,” “audio enhancement”).
  • Timestamp: Date and time of each CU addition or modification.
  • Change Description: Summary of what was added, changed, or improved.
  • Version Number/Hash: A unique ID for each version, either sequential for non-blockchain files or a cryptographic hash for blockchain-stored versions.
  • Licensing and Ethics Tags: Indicate permissions, sustainability, or ethical considerations for each CU.

3. Digital Signature and Aggregate Metadata

A Digital Signature Tool now enables contributors to digitally sign and embed RE License metadata directly into any CU and final project files. Each contributor can create or select their unique key pair, which is used to sign their contributions. The aggregate metadata provides:

  • Contributors’ Manifest: A record of each CU’s contributor, their role, and their signature.
  • Contribution Summary: A summary of each CU’s contribution to the project.
  • Usage Metadata: Guidelines for using, interacting with, or adapting individual CUs.

The **Aggregate Metadata Layer** consolidates the information in standard file formats (e.g., JSON, EXIF, IPTC) and includes digital signatures, making it accessible across different devices and platforms.

4. RE L-to-RE L

The RE L-to-RE L concept supports a layered, cumulative structure where each derivative work adds a new “block” to the project. Each RE L layer:

  • Preserves Original Context: Every derivative work remains linked to its source through a traceable chain.
  • Allows Independent Adaptation Units (ACUs): Modifications or additions specific to a derivative are recorded as Adaptive Contribution Units (ACUs) and logged within each RE L layer.
  • Complete Derivative Chain: The chain shows the lineage of contributions, creating a full history of the project from the original to the latest layer.
  • Aggregate Metadata for Each Layer: The final project file displays all RE L layers, showing the entire contribution chain and licensing details.

See the RE L-to-RE L Key Features page for a detailed exploration of RE L-to-RE L’s modular layering and derivative structures.

5. Unified Contributor Registry

The Global Contributor Registry tracks contributors across all RE-licensed projects. This registry provides:

  • Traceable Contribution Histories: Contributors’ work is logged and searchable across RE-licensed projects.
  • Linked Profiles: Contributors can link their entries to external profiles, such as GitHub, digital wallets, or Creative Commons, for consistent attribution across platforms.

6. Community Integrity and Flagging

A Community Integrity Flagging System safeguards ethical standards within Seigr’s projects:

  • Flagging for Misuse: Community members can flag content that violates ethical or sustainability guidelines (e.g., environmentally harmful uses).
  • Constructive Feedback and Accountability: Flagging is paired with reasoning, encouraging respectful, community-centered solutions.

Practical Workflow for Developing RE-Licensed Content

The RE License Verification Tool supports easy adoption of the RE License structure with the following steps:

1. File Creation and Initial CU Generation: The original author creates the file and logs the first CUs with metadata using the digital signature tool. 2. Adding and Modifying CUs: Contributors sign each CU independently, and related contributions are connected through Contribution Chains, which are automatically logged. 3. Blockchain Updates: If stored on the blockchain, each file version creates a unique hash, preserving contribution history on-chain. 4. File Verification: The RE License Verification Tool displays the contribution log and verifies entries against blockchain data. 5. Global Recognition: All contributors are logged in the Global Contributor Registry, ensuring transparent, verifiable attribution.

Development Goals for the RE License

1. Digital Signature Tool for CUs: Enhance the tool to allow contributors to create, select, or manage key pairs directly. Each CU can now have a unique, creator-specific digital signature. 2. RE License Verification Tool: Provide a tool to read, log, and verify metadata across RE-licensed projects, including digital signature verification using public keys. 3. Blockchain and Non-Blockchain Compatibility: Ensure files retain CU data whether stored on the blockchain or in traditional storage. 4. Unified Contributor Registry: Build a searchable registry with profile linkage for all contributors. 5. Community Integrity Protocol: Implement a flagging system to uphold ethical guidelines within the community.

Future Considerations

Potential features for expanding the RE License include:

  • API Integration: Enable real-time metadata embedding on external websites.
  • Cross-License Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with other open licenses like Creative Commons.
  • Dynamic Online Verification: Allow online content verification with real-time views of contribution history and metadata.

Key Pair Management and Digital Signature Implementation

The RE License application now includes a flexible digital signature framework that allows contributors to embed their own unique signatures within RE-Licensed files. Key features include:

  • Key Pair Selection: Users can select an existing key pair or generate a new RSA key pair for signing metadata.
  • Metadata Signing: Metadata is hashed and signed with the contributor’s private key, and the digital signature is embedded in the file’s metadata.
  • Public Key Storage for Verification: The RE License Verification Tool includes functionality to verify digital signatures using the contributor's public key, ensuring content authenticity and traceability.

Next Steps

1. Finalize RE License metadata for both blockchain and non-blockchain applications. 2. Develop the Digital Signature Tool and RE License Verification Tool with extended support for key management. 3. Beta-test the Community Integrity Protocol to refine community flagging. 4. Launch the Unified Contributor Registry to standardize contribution tracking.

This page will continue to evolve as the RE License develops, ensuring Seigr’s licensing model remains transparent, adaptable, and in alignment with Rebel Earthling’s mission.

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