University Open Source Programme Office

To integrate open source principles into university research and technology transfer activities, ensuring alignment with knowledge valorisation objectives and fostering an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration, Trinity College Dublin set up the Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) five years ago. The OSPO facilitates the management and contribution of open source projects, balancing academic priorities with commercial opportunities.

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Description

Key Practices

1. Establish an Open Source Programme Office (OSPO): The OSPO acts as a central hub for managing open source initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, and supporting researchers and industry partners.
2. Develop a Clear Intellectual Property (IP) Policy: Trinity College Dublin have update IP policies to explicitly support open source licensing while addressing risks. Provide clear guidance on dual-licensing models and compliance, such as using GPL and MIT licenses for software projects.
3. Educate and Train Stakeholders: Conduct workshops, seminars, and one-on-one guidance for researchers, staff, and industry partners on open source benefits and compliance. Example: Trinity's OSPO created educational materials like mini-guides and infographics to demystify open source for stakeholders.
4. Foster Collaboration Between Academia and Industry: Promote joint research and development initiatives leveraging open source frameworks. Support startups and spin-offs in adopting open source ecosystems, reducing development costs, and accelerating innovation.
5. Support Open Source Contributions: Encourage researchers to contribute to and initiate open source projects, reinforcing the university's role as a leader in collaborative research. Example: Projects in genomics and other fields at Trinity College that use dual licensing models.
6. Leverage Knowledge Valorisation Frameworks: Align open source strategies with knowledge valorisation channels such as spin-offs, public engagement, and policy support. Ensure practical implementation with measurable results in societal and economic impact.
7. Develop Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with national and international bodies to embrace the open source ecosystem in startups and industry. Example: Trinity's engagement with bodies like Enterprise Ireland (EI), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), and the League of European Research Universities (LERU).
8. Measure and Communicate Impact: Use data-driven assessments to showcase the impact of open source initiatives on research quality, industry collaboration, and societal benefits. Regularly publish case studies and success stories to demonstrate the transferability of best practices.

These practices are designed to inspire other universities and research institutions to adopt similar approaches, ensuring a wider impact of open source on academia and industry globally. The alignment with the EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform ensures compliance and scalability for broader adoption.

Achievements & learning

Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Knowledge Transfer Office is very much focussed on creating DeepTech spinouts based on research. We have successfully spun out several startups creating significant social-economic impact, focussed on open source business models.

Examples include:

1. Software Radio Systems (SRS)
   Foundation: SRS is a spinout from Trinity College Dublin, leveraging deep research in software-defined radio (SDR).
   Core Technology: Offers open-source and commercial tools for wireless communication systems, including 4G and 5G networks.
   Open Source Model: Provides a free, open-source version of their SDR software to foster adoption and community contribution. Employs a dual-license model where advanced features and support services are available under a commercial license.
   Business Strategy: Monetizes through enterprise licensing, custom solutions, and consultancy. Builds trust and visibility in the telecommunications ecosystem by allowing developers and researchers to experiment with open-source tools.
   Impact: Established itself as a key player in the wireless research and development community. Showcased how open-source frameworks can drive both academic innovation and commercial success.
2. TerminusDB
   Foundation: Another TCD spinout rooted in cutting-edge research, specialising in graph database technology.
   Core Technology: Offers a version-controlled, collaborative database system optimised for linked data and data modelling.
   Open Source Model: Core database technology is open source, allowing widespread adoption and integration. Commercial offerings include premium features, cloud hosting, and enterprise-level support.
   Business Strategy: Leverages the open-source version to build a developer community and accelerate feedback and improvements. Provides subscription-based services for enterprises that require advanced functionality and scalability.
   Impact: Gained recognition as a leading player in the database market. Successfully balanced open-source transparency with sustainable revenue generation.

Partners/sponsors

Our Office is supported by Enterprise Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund.

Video: Open Source Programme Office at Trinity College Dublin