PhET SOFTWARE AGREEMENT

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

for PhET’s collection of HTML5 Simulations

(Version 1)

University of Colorado Boulder

In this document:

       I.       Definitions

    II.       Software License Options

A.  ‘PhET HTML Simulation File’: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

B.  ‘PhET HTML Simulation Source Code’: GNU General Public License Version 3 (GPLv3)

C.  ‘PhET HTML Common Source Code’: MIT License

D.  Attribution

E.   Donations

F.   Third Party Software Credits

G.  Alternative Licensing Options

 III.       PhET Name and Logo Trademark

 IV.       Privacy Policy

A.  Commitment to Individual Privacy

B.  Information Collected

C.  Information Security

D.  Information Sharing

E.   Colorado Open Records Act

F.   Additional privacy terms apply when PhET is used with the Microsoft Office Mix Service

    V.       Disclaimer

 VI.       Contact Us

 

-----------------------------------------

 

This software agreement pertains to the collection of HTML5 simulations developed by the PhET Interactive Simulations Project at the University of Colorado Boulder (PhET).

 

For licensing information pertaining to PhET’s Java or Flash simulations, please visit http://phet.colorado.edu.

 

I. DEFINITIONS


“PhET HTML5 Simulation Source Code”: Each of PhET’s Simulation is composed of many assets, including but not limited to simulation-specific source code (JavaScript/HTML/CSS), images, audio and text. This collection of simulation-specific assets are referred to as “PhET HTML5 Simulation Source Code”.

 

“PhET HTML5 Common Source Code”: Each of PhET’s Simulation also utilizes common libraries and tools developed by PhET, including but not limited to source code (JavaScript/HTML/CSS), images, audio and text. This collection of common code assets are referred to as “PhET HTML5 Common Source Code”.

 

“PhET HTML Simulation File”: For each PhET simulation, the assets in the PhET HTML5 Simulation Source Code and the PhET HTML5 Common Source Code are combined into a single, minified HTML file that can be run in a browser, or downloaded and launched, without any other requirements. Each minified simulation file is referred to as a “PhET HTML Simulation File”.


II. SOFTWARE LICENCE OPTIONS

 

  1. ‘PHET HTML SIMULATION FILE’:
    CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 4.0

 

Each “PhET HTML Simulation File” developed by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).

The full text of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license is available here:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

Creative Commons License

 

 

What does this mean?
Each “PhET HTML Simulation File” may be freely used and/or redistributed by third parties (e.g. students, educators, school districts, museums, publishers, vendors, etc.). Non-commercial or commercial use is allowed.

 

All uses require ATTRIBUTION of the work to:

PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, http://phet.colorado.edu. 

 

The CC-BY-4.0 license does not apply to the PhET name and PhET logo, which are trademarks of The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. Permission is granted to use the PhET name and PhET logo only for attribution purposes. Use of the PhET name and/or PhET logo for promotional, marketing, or advertising purposes requires a separate license agreement from the University of Colorado Boulder.  Contact phethelp@colorado.edu to discuss trademark licensing options.

 

  1. ‘PHET HTML SIMULATION SOURCE CODE’:
    GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE VERSION 3 (GPLv3)

 

The “PhET HTML5 Simulation Source Code” developed by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado is licensed under a GNU General Public License Version 3 (GPLv3).


The full text of the GNU General Public License is available here:

https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html

 

[Large GPLv3 logo]

 

 

What does this mean?
The simulation-specific source code for each HTML5 PhET simulation is available for use and/or modification. Anyone can have access to the source code and make modifications. The source code for any changes someone makes to the software must, in turn, be made publicly available by the party that makes the changes.

 

The simulation-specific source code repositories can be accessed at: http://github.com/phetsims. License files within each simulation-specific repository specify GPLv3.


  1.  ‘PHET HTML COMMON SOURCE CODE’: MIT LICENSE

 

The “PhET HTML5 Common Source Code” developed by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado is licensed under a MIT License.


The full text of the MIT License is available here:

http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT

 

What does this mean?
The common source code libraries for PhET simulations are available for use and/or modification. For directions about how to access the source code, go to: http://phet.colorado.edu/about/source-code.php. Anyone can have access to the source code and make modifications. The copyright and permission notice must be included in all copies or copies of substantial portions of the Software.

 

The common source code repositories can be accessed at: http://github.com/phetsims. License files within each common code repository specify an MIT License.

 

  1. ATTRIBUTION

 

Use of a “PhET HTML Simulation File” under the CC BY 4.0 license requires attributing the work to:

 

PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, http://phet.colorado.edu. 

 

Inclusion of the link back to http://phet.colorado.edu is required.


  1. DONATIONS


PhET needs ongoing donations and grant funding in order to support the project, continue the development of new simulations, and maintain existing simulations.

 

Commercial users are asked to support the project with a tax-deductible donation to PhET, to help fund the project mission. For more information, email phethelp@colorado.edu or visit http://phet.colorado.edu/en/donate

 

  1. THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE CREDITS

 

PhET simulations use third-party software. A complete list of third-party libraries used, the developers, and the associated licenses is listed at the top of each “PhET HTML Simulation File”, using view source.


  1. ALTERNATIVE LICENSING OPTIONS


Permissions beyond the scope of these licenses may be available upon request. Please contact us at phethelp@colorado.edu.


III. PHET NAME AND LOGO TRADEMARK

 

The PhET name and PhET logo are trademarks of The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. Permission is granted to use the PhET name and PhET logo only for attribution purposes. Use of the PhET name and/or PhET logo for promotional, marketing, or advertising purposes requires a separate license agreement from the University of Colorado Boulder. 

 

Contact phethelp@colorado.edu to discuss trademark licensing options.


IV. PRIVACY POLICY

 

  1. COMMITMENT TO INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY


The University of Colorado and the PhET Interactive Simulations Project are committed to the protection of individual privacy, and ensuring the confidentiality of information provided by its employees, students, visitors, and resource users. 

  1. INFORMATION COLLECTED

In order to document the amount of use of PhET simulations and to provide the best services to our users, PhET collects a minimal amount of non-personally identifying information through the use of Google Analytics in each PhET HTML5 Simulation File.

When the simulation is opened, information is collected via Google Analytics’ standard web statistics services. 

  1. INFORMATION SECURITY

The PhET Project has in place appropriate security measures to protect against the unauthorized use or access of its data. Such measures include internal review of data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures, as well as physical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where data is stored.

  1. INFORMATION SHARING

Access to information collected through the use of PhET simulations is limited to those employees, contractors, and agents who need to know that information in order to operate, develop, or improve our services. The PhET Project may report a summary of this information (in aggregate) to other organizations and individuals for grant reporting purposes, or in published articles to document PhET’s wide-spread use. No personally-identifying information is collected nor distributed. The PhET Project requires third parties to whom it discloses information to protect the information in accordance with this policy and applicable law.  In addition, the PhET Project may disclose information to third parties when such disclosure is required or permitted by law.

  1. COLORADO OPEN RECORDS ACT

The University of Colorado and the PhET project are subject to the Colorado Open Records Act, C.R.S § 24-72-101 et seq. The Colorado Open Records Act requires that all records maintained by the University and the PhET Project be available for public inspection except as otherwise provided by law.  Non-personal identifying information collected by the PhET Project may be subject to public inspection and copying unless protected by state or federal law. 

  1. ADDITIONAL PRIVACY TERMS APPLY WHEN PHET IS USED WITH THE MICROSOFT OFFICE MIX SERVICE

This app for Office will share information with Microsoft about how you interact with it, such as whether the app loaded successfully, any content that is displayed to you in the app, and any information you enter in the app. Microsoft may combine this information with other information to provide the Office Mix service in accordance with the statement on Privacy & Cookies for Office Mix. By using this app, you consent to the app sharing information with Microsoft for this purpose.

V. DISCLAIMER

This software and the information contained therein is provided as a public service, with the understanding that neither the University of Colorado nor the PhET project makes any warranties, either express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of this software and information.

By using this software, you assume all risks associated with such use, including but not limited to the risk of any damage to your computer, software, or data.  In no event shall the University or the PhET project be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including, without limitation, lost revenues or profits or lost or damaged data) arising from your use of this software.

VI. CONTACT US

Please send comments, questions, or concerns regarding this software agreement to phethelp@colorado.edu. Please do not send attachments with the message.