Important Information About the Handle System Public License Agreement

HANDLE.NET software is being licensed under the Handle System Public License, to make the Handle System technology available to more users. An earlier software license enabled licensees to use the server software (version 5.3.4 and earlier) for educational, research, and other non-commercial purposes only. That license let early users experiment with the Handle System and provide valuable feedback to CNRI. As the system has evolved and effective performance has been demonstrated, the number of identifiers and the number of users has grown substantially. Today, over 50 million handle identifiers are used in operational environments.

Although Handle System research and development activities continue to be key to the future of the system, interest in using the system in commercial activities, not permitted by the original license, is growing. CNRI believes that it is important to ensure that all users, regardless of their goal in using the technology, contribute to defraying the costs associated with its operation.

The educational, research and other non-commercial use license is no longer available. Users of the Handle System technology who downloaded version 5.3.4 and/or earlier may continue to use that version, provided their use of the system remains in accordance with the terms of their license, for educational, research or non-commercial use only. If they wish to reconfigure their existing service, or upgrade their software, they will be required to accept the terms of the Handle System Public License, accept the terms of the Handle System Service Agreement, abide by the Policies and Procedures, and register as a Resolution Service Provider.

Any current or potential users for whom the requirements of the Handle System Public License and Service Agreement will impose a hardship may contact the Handle System Administrator at hdladmin@cnri.reston.va.us.