Governance

What it is

OpenAttribution is a UK company limited by guarantee (company number 17002582). It builds and maintains an open standard for content attribution in AI systems - when content is retrieved, cited, engaged with, or leads to an outcome.

The standard defines what those events look like. The reference server collects them. Content owners get visibility into how their content is being used. This is measurement infrastructure - it does not decide who gets paid or how much.

Everything is open source under Apache 2.0. Anyone can use, modify, or build on it.

Who runs it

OpenAttribution is led by its founding director, with additional directors to be appointed as the membership grows. Remuneration is approved by the board and disclosed in annual accounts.

How it is funded

Annual membership fees, scaled by organisation type. The money pays for director salaries, infrastructure, events, and ongoing development of the standard.

Accounts are filed at Companies House. A financial summary is shared with members annually. The board approves the budget and director remuneration.

Structure

Board of Directors

Sets budget, strategy, and membership fees. Cannot override technical decisions.

Technical Steering Committee

Owns the specification. Decides what goes into the standard. Independent of the board, appointed on technical merit.

Working Groups

Detailed work on specific parts of the standard. Open to all members. Report to the TSC.

One member, one vote. Paying more does not buy more votes.

Independence

Funding firewall

Membership fees do not buy control over the specification. This is established in our bye-laws and membership agreements.

Technical independence

The TSC has authority over the specification. The board cannot direct technical decisions.

Conflict of interest

Members affected by a provision must disclose and recuse from the final vote. They can still participate in discussion. Recusals are documented.

Intellectual property

The specification and reference implementation code are owned by OpenAttribution and licensed under Apache 2.0. Members get governance over direction, not ownership.