Development Resources/IP Due Diligence for Git and Gerrit

This is a work-in-progress that hasn't been implemented yet. The Eclipse IP Due Diligence Process poster is the authority with regard to how IP contributions must be handled.

Git provides makes it easy to wrap and indefinitely persist contributions along with metadata. Specifically, contributions delivered via Git are packed into commit records that include the identity of the contributor, dates, comments, etc.

Project information pages include a block that looks something like this:

The very first paragraph contains a link to this page. Project-specific "how to contribute" pages provide a similar link.

The Contribution

The contribution must have the author field set to the contributor's credentials.

Further, the contribution my be "Signed-off-by" the contributor using identical credentials; e.g.

Signed-off-by: Wayne Beaton <wayne@eclipse.org>

By signing off on a contribution, the contributor asserts that:

1. The contribution was created in whole or in part by me and I have the right to submit it under the open source license indicated in the file; or
2. The contribution is based upon previous work that, to the best of my knowledge, is covered under an appropriate open source license and I have the right under that license to submit that work with modifications, whether created in whole or in part by me, under the same open source license (unless I am permitted to submit under a different license), as indicated in the file; or
3. The contribution was provided directly to me by some other person who certified (1), (2) or (3) and I have not modified it. I understand and agree that this project and the contribution are public and that a record of the contribution (including all personal information I submit with it, including my sign-off) is maintained indefinitely and may be redistributed consistent with this project or the open source license(s) involved."
4. I understand and agree that this project and the contribution are public and that a record of the contribution (including all personal information I submit with it, including my sign-off) is maintained indefinitely and may be redistributed consistent with this project or the open source license(s) involved."