Intellectual Property Policy

1. Purpose

Globalgood is committed to the ethical creation, responsible use, and legal protection of intellectual property (IP) in support of its global nonprofit mission. This Intellectual Property Policy outlines the principles, ownership rights, permitted uses, licensing practices, and enforcement mechanisms that apply to all IP assets created, managed, or acquired by Globalgood.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, grantees, collaborators, and third-party service providers who create, use, or access intellectual property associated with Globalgood.

3. Ownership of Intellectual Property

All intellectual property created, developed, commissioned, or acquired by or for Globalgood is the sole property of the organization unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Intellectual property owned by Globalgood includes:

• Written Content – Reports, articles, toolkits, publications, and curricula
• Visual Media – Videos, photos, infographics, and illustrations
• Digital Products – Software, apps, data dashboards, and platforms
• Website Assets – Content, structure, design, and code
• Training Materials – Manuals, guides, e-learning modules, and recorded sessions
• Brand Assets – Logos, brand guidelines, trademarks, and taglines
• Research Outputs – Surveys, databases, white papers, and analytical models
• Patents and Innovations – Where applicable, any patentable inventions
• Trade Secrets & Confidential Methods – Proprietary systems, frameworks, or strategic approaches

Any third-party content featured on Globalgood’s platforms remains the property of its respective owner and is used with permission or in accordance with fair use and licensing terms.

4. Use of Globalgood’s Intellectual Property

Globalgood encourages the ethical and appropriate use of its IP by partners, funders, collaborators, and the public, provided such use:

• Aligns with Globalgood’s mission and values
• Is non-commercial in nature unless expressly authorized
• Does not misrepresent or distort the original work
• Clearly attributes Globalgood as the source

Where permission is required, users must submit a written request specifying the material, intended use, and duration. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis.

5. Licensing and Open Access

Globalgood may release selected intellectual property under open licenses (e.g., Creative Commons) to promote access, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

Where content is released under a Creative Commons or similar license, Globalgood will specify the applicable license terms (e.g., CC BY-NC 4.0) and any limitations.

Not all IP is automatically open access—materials not explicitly licensed should be treated as proprietary.

6. Attribution

When using Globalgood’s intellectual property, users must provide appropriate credit, including:

• The name “Globalgood” as the copyright owner
• The title of the work
• A link to the original source (where available)
• An indication if changes were made

Example: “Adapted from original materials by Globalgood, used under CC BY-NC 4.0.”

7. Collaborations and Joint IP

Where Globalgood collaborates with partners to co-create IP:

• Ownership and licensing terms will be outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or contract
• Joint IP may be co-owned or assigned depending on the terms
• Attribution and usage rights will be clearly defined

8. Use of Third-Party IP by Globalgood

Globalgood respects the IP rights of others. Any third-party content used by Globalgood (e.g., stock images, open-source code, externally authored studies) is used in accordance with the relevant license, permission, or legal exception.

Where required, credit will be given to third-party authors, creators, or rights holders.

9. Misuse, Infringement, and Violations

Unauthorized use of Globalgood’s IP—including copying, altering, distributing, or profiting from its materials without permission—may result in legal action.

Globalgood reserves the right to:

• Request immediate removal of infringing content
• Pursue remedies under applicable IP and contract laws
• Terminate agreements or partnerships with violators

If you become aware of any misuse or unauthorized use of Globalgood’s intellectual property, we encourage you to report it. Please contact us to share details or raise concerns.

10. IP Protection and Registration

Globalgood actively protects its IP by:

• Registering key trademarks and domain names
• Documenting the creation of original content
• Using watermarks, disclaimers, and access controls
• Requiring IP clauses in contracts and grants

Where appropriate, Globalgood may register copyrights or file patents to safeguard strategic innovations.

11. Dispute Resolution

In case of a dispute regarding ownership or use of IP, Globalgood will first seek to resolve the issue through internal review and dialogue with involved parties. If necessary, disputes may be escalated to arbitration or referred to legal authorities, subject to applicable laws.

12. Changes and Updates

Globalgood may update this Intellectual Property Policy to reflect changes in applicable law, evolving best practices, or strategic decisions concerning the stewardship of our intellectual assets. All revisions will be published on our official website and clearly marked with the effective date. Stakeholders are encouraged to consult the latest version to remain informed of their rights and responsibilities. Continued engagement with our intellectual property following any updates will constitute acknowledgment and acceptance of the revised Policy.