RE License Development Overview

The **Rebel Earthling License (RE License)** is a unique licensing model designed to support ethical, traceable, and community-driven content. It enables a dual-function approach, making it suitable for both blockchain-stored and non-blockchain files while ensuring that all contributions, updates, and modifications are transparently logged and attributed.

Purpose of the RE License

The RE License’s core mission is to:

Empower creators to share, adapt, and build upon original works with full transparency and traceability.
Facilitate ethical and sustainable practices within a collaborative ecosystem.
Provide robust tracking for files stored on blockchain and non-blockchain systems, supporting a decentralized library of all versions and their contributors.

Key Elements of the RE License

The RE License is structured around several key components that ensure traceability, compatibility, and ethical alignment.

1. Collaborative Contribution Log

Every file licensed under RE includes a **Collaborative Contribution Log** that documents all contributors, whether the work is music, video, text, code, or other media. This log captures:

Contributor Name(s): Listing all creators who contributed to each version.
Contribution Type: A description of each change, such as “visual enhancement,” “audio remix,” or “code update.”
Timestamp: Date and time of the modification for chronological tracking.
Change Description: Summary of the change made.
Version Number/Hash: Each version is assigned a sequential number (for non-blockchain) or cryptographic hash (for blockchain).
Licensing Tag: Indicates permissions or restrictions specific to the contribution (e.g., “non-commercial use only”).
Sustainability and Ethics Tags: Optional tag for contributors to specify eco-friendly practices or ethical considerations.

2. Dual-Compatibility Structure

The RE License is designed to work seamlessly with both blockchain-stored and non-blockchain files:

**Blockchain-Compatible Metadata**: For files stored on blockchain, a cryptographic hash identifies each version, linking all updates and modifications.
**Embedded Metadata for Non-Blockchain Files**: For traditional file sharing, the RE License metadata is embedded within the file’s properties, remaining intact and accessible across different devices and platforms.

3. Digital Signature Integration

To ensure authenticity, a **digital signature tool** will allow users to embed a license fingerprint directly into any file. This signature includes:

License type (RE License)
Original author
File version
Timestamps
Digital hash for blockchain compatibility (optional)

This digital signature ensures that the RE License and its metadata remain embedded within the file, enabling traceability even if the file is shared, duplicated, or modified.

4. Unified Contributor Registry

The RE License maintains a **Global Contributor Registry**:

Each contributor’s work across RE-licensed projects is visible and searchable.
Contributors can link their entries to a pseudonym or external profile, maintaining credit across all contributions.

5. Community Integrity and Flagging

A **Community Integrity Flagging System** will be available to uphold the RE License’s ethical standards:

Community members can flag any contributions or uses that violate ethical guidelines (e.g., environmentally harmful applications).
Flagged contributions are noted in the blockchain metadata and embedded file metadata, alerting users to any potential ethical issues.

Practical Workflow

The RE License Verification Tool will facilitate easy adoption and transparency for creators and collaborators:

1. **File Creation**: The original author creates the file and applies the RE License metadata with the digital signature tool. 2. **Modification Logging**: As contributors make changes, they use the tool to log their name, type of contribution, and a brief change description. These entries are added to the metadata. 3. **Blockchain Updates**: If stored on the blockchain, each version update creates a new cryptographic hash, which is stored as a unique entry on the blockchain. 4. **File Verification**: Recipients can access the file’s full history using the RE License Verification Tool, which displays the contribution log and verifies against blockchain data. 5. **Global Recognition**: Each new contributor is added to the Unified Contributor Registry, making their contributions verifiable across the RE network.

Goals for Development

1. **Tool for Digital Signature Integration**: Develop an open-source tool for embedding RE License metadata into any file format. 2. **RE License Verification Tool**: Provide users with a straightforward tool for reading metadata, logging modifications, and verifying contributions. 3. **Blockchain and Non-Blockchain Compatibility**: Ensure that all files can transition seamlessly between blockchain storage and traditional storage while retaining full contribution history. 4. **Global Contributor Registry**: Create a searchable database of all contributors across RE-licensed projects, with support for linked identities. 5. **Community Integrity Protocol**: Implement a flagging system for community members to report contributions that misalign with ethical guidelines.

Future Considerations

We may consider the following enhancements as the RE License evolves:

**API Integration**: Allow websites to embed live metadata from the RE License repository.
**Cross-License Compatibility**: Ensure compatibility with other open-source licenses, such as Creative Commons or MIT, to enable broader adoption.
**Dynamic Online Verification**: Enable automatic license verification for online content linked to the RE License, so that websites can provide a real-time view of the content’s version history and contributors.

Next Steps

1. Finalize the RE License metadata structure for both blockchain and non-blockchain applications. 2. Develop the Digital Signature Tool and the RE License Verification Tool. 3. Test the Community Integrity Protocol with a small group of beta users to gather feedback. 4. Establish the Unified Contributor Registry to centralize and standardize contribution recognition.

This page will be updated as development progresses, ensuring the RE License remains adaptable, ethical, and in alignment with Rebel Earthling’s mission.