Identity Commons (IC):

• Researcher: Drummond Reed, Kaliya Hamlin

• Link: http://www.idcommons.net Wiki http://wiki.idcommons.net/index.php/Main_Page

• Legal Structure: Identity Commons is community action groups working on addressing the social, legal and technical issues that arise with the emerging, identity, data and social layer of the internet. Action Groups share the Purpose and Principles of IC.  It first incorporated in 2001, the current active community really began in 2004 and it was (newly) incorporated as a Florida nonprofit corporate in 2007 (it may seek 501(c)3 status this year - businesses can claim contributions as a business expenses and don't need the 501(c)3 status to contribute and deduct the contribution) Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws.

• Organizational Form: Action groups have tremendous autonomy and range from those with their own autonomous nonprofit organization (OpenID, XDI.org) projects of other organizations (Project VRM: Berkman Center, Higgins: Eclipse) and those that exist only as part of Identity Commons (Open Source Identity Systems, Identity Gang, Id Futures) - groups can also begin life as action groups here and in time form their own formal legal entity - or become a project of another organization too.  [This organizational form] is sometimes describe as an "upside down umbrella" because the vast majority of activity and decision making occur in the action groups.

• Community Activities: The main activity of the core organization is the sharing of information action with quarterly reporting on activities to support dialogue and collaboration.  Identity Commons also provides and supports shared resources for action group collaboration such as wikis, mailing lists etc. groups who are just part of IC can use the bank account to get contributions and conduct their activities.  The stewards councilwith one representative  from each group is responsible for the resources of the commons - it has monthly calls open to anyone.  

• Requirements: Action Groups of IC have an agreement with IC: The Identity Commons will support the community by allowing its name and brand to be used in conjunction with groups of individuals and/or organizations that organize themselves to pursue work that is consistent with IC's Purpose And Principles. It is important to note that the use of IC's brand does not imply that the Action Groupis doing work on behalf of IC. Each working group is doing its own work and is responsible for the quality and reliability of its products. The use of the IC brand only means that the working group has organized and governed its work in a way that is consistent with IC's Purpose and Principles. IC warrants nothing further. The agreements page goes on to articulate what is needed for recognition of a group.

• To create an action group in the Identity Commons community - groups must fill out a charter that clarifies their:

1. 1. Purposes and scope of work,
   2. Qualifications and requirements for participation, if any,
   3. Required licenses or any other restrictions on uses of the working group's work product, if any,
   4. Method(s) of making decisions together, as needed, and
   5. Any other agreements that seem necessary.

• Once this is complete they can submit it for review, discussion and vote by the stewards council. There is an emerging practice of mentorship for new groups by long time participants in the community.

It is important to understand that being part of Identity Commons is joining a community -  DataPortability welcome to join.

Key Questions: