Software on Download Portals
Other relevant information about software, licensing and guidelines
The guidelines below must be followed when distributing software (i.e. executable applications and/or source code) in the name of "ETH Zurich" on download portals (e.g. Apple AppStore, Google Play, etc.) or through other public distribution channels (e.g. ETH Zurich web servers, GitLab, GitHub, SourceForge, etc.). These guidelines should help to avoid legal disputes and guarantee that the use of the software is that one intended by the software coders.
Guideline
- Software that is distributed on public download portals must be distributed with clear license terms and conditions. No software shall be distributed online without a license. Software users must accept the terms and conditions of the license prior to the first usage of the software or before downloading the software from the portal. For software owned by ETH Zurich, one of the following licenses must be used:
(a) an open source license recognized by the external page Open Source Initiative (e.g. GPL, MIT, Apache, BSD, etc.). Please see the guidelines on Open Source Software here,
(b) a license text provided by the store (AppStore, Google Play or Windows App Store) or,
(c) a license prepared jointly with us and approved by us.
- It is not permitted to include the ETH logo on download portals, even if ETH Zurich holds the exclusive rights of exploitation for the software (RSETHZ 202.4 "Guidelines on Using the ETH Zurich Logo").
- All software must be accompanied with a technical description that is suitable for the target user group along with sufficient documentation, or must make a reference to such documentation.
- All software, whether licensed as open source or otherwise, with or without a license fee, must be either registered (i.e. open source software) or disclosed with us (please see the guidelines here: Software Licensing). And all non-open source software licenses must also be approved by the Vice President for Research and Corporate Relations. Approval from Vice President for Research and Corporate Relations is obtained by us (RSETHZ 440.4, Article 1 and 3.1 "Download ETH Zurich Exploitation Guidelines (PDF, 267 KB)").
These guidelines apply to all software regardless of its form of licensing.
Takedown
In the event of serious technical defects or negative user reactions that could harm the reputation of ETH Zurich, the institute or research group must examine the quality of the software. If there are any doubts as to the quality of the software, the responsible group must remove the software from the download portal.
In the event of a sufficient improvement, the software may subsequently be placed on the download portal again.
ETH Zurich "Corporate Account"
ETH Zurich has a "Corporate Account" in the Apple Store, on Google Play and in the Windows Store. Employees of ETH Zurich may upload software through these corporate accounts and distribute the software in the name of ETH Zurich on these portals. These corporate accounts also offer the possibility to activate, e.g. “in-house distribution” for test purposes giving access to a limited group of users.
For further information and the necessary prerequisites, please contact (IT Services).
Contact for Apps on Coporate Account:
Software developed by ETH Zurich employees
Software coded by PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, professors or other employees of ETH Zurich during the course of their employment and in accordance with their duties must be distributed in the name of "ETH Zurich". The institute or the research group shall be responsible for distributing the software through download portals, for the quality of the software and for compliance with ETH Zurich guidelines.
The source code and the webpage must at least include the following copyright notice: ? [year of first distribution] ETH Zurich
Other examples of copyright notice:
- ?2016-2021 ETH Zurich
- ?2016-2021 ETH Zurich, name of coder 1, name of coder 2, etc.
- ?2016-2021 ETH Zurich, name of coder 1, name of coder 2, etc.; D-?XXXX; Name of Institute; Name of Professorship
Please note that the coders may waive their right to be named.
Software developed by undergraduate and masters students
Software created by undergraduate and masters students as part of their studies shall be deemed to have been created by the student, who shall thus bear the responsibility for it. The software must appear under the name of the developer as the copyright author. No reference may be made to ETH Zurich (e.g. name and address). Liability issues relating to the software are responsibility of the undergraduate or master students. Rights and duties over creations made by students who are not additionally employed at ETH Zurich are described in the "Leistungskontrollenverordnung ETH Zürich" external page SR 414.135.1, Article 23(1).
Students who distribute software packages, e.g. on the Apple AppStore for download free of charge, must ensure that the software does not infringe any third party rights.
For any additional information regarding software licensing to third parties, please contact the IP & Licensing Group.