SplineCloud Code of Ethics

Effective date: October 23, 2025

Preamble

SplineCloud is committed to advancing open science, engineering knowledge, and collaborative innovation through transparent and responsible data sharing. As a platform that hosts technical and scientific data from researchers, engineers, and innovators worldwide, we recognize our responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards in knowledge exchange.

This Code of Ethics establishes the principles and values that guide our community in creating, sharing, and using technical knowledge on SplineCloud. It complements our Community Guidelines (which address social behavior) and our Acceptable Use Policies (which define prohibited activities) by providing positive ethical guidance for professional conduct and responsible data stewardship.

We expect all users—whether individual contributors, research teams, or organizations—to embrace these principles and contribute to building a trustworthy, transparent, and socially responsible platform for technical knowledge.

Our Core Values

Integrity: We are committed to honesty, accuracy, and transparency in all technical work shared on our platform.

Responsibility: We recognize that technical knowledge can have real-world impacts and commit to responsible stewardship of data and information.

Openness: We believe in the power of open collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance science and engineering for the benefit of society.

Respect: We respect intellectual property rights, authorship, and the contributions of all community members.

Civil Purpose: We are dedicated to using technical knowledge exclusively for peaceful, civil purposes that benefit humanity.

1. Data Quality and Integrity

1.1 Accuracy and Verification

We are committed to sharing accurate, reliable, and well-documented technical data. Users should:

  • Verify the accuracy of data before sharing it on the platform
  • Clearly document the sources, methods, and conditions under which data was collected or generated
  • Distinguish between verified facts, experimental results, theoretical models, and preliminary findings
  • Update or correct data when errors are discovered
  • Clearly label data quality levels, uncertainty ranges, and known limitations

1.2 Completeness and Documentation

Proper documentation enables others to understand, verify, and build upon your work. Users should:

  • Provide sufficient context and metadata for others to understand and use the data
  • Document methodologies, assumptions, and limitations
  • Include version information and change logs for datasets
  • Maintain clear records of data provenance and processing steps
  • Provide references to related work and dependencies

1.3 Reproducibility

Reproducibility is fundamental to scientific and engineering progress. Users should:

  • Provide enough detail for others to reproduce results or analyses
  • Share relevant code, scripts, configuration files, and parameters
  • Document software versions, tools, and computational environments used
  • Make reasonable efforts to ensure that published work can be verified by others

1.4 Data Preservation

We encourage responsible long-term data stewardship:

  • Maintain stable, persistent identifiers for important datasets
  • Avoid unnecessary deletion of published data that others may depend on
  • Archive deprecated versions appropriately with clear documentation
  • Consider data preservation when planning to discontinue projects

2. Attribution and Intellectual Property

2.1 Proper Attribution

Recognizing contributions is essential to maintaining trust and encouraging collaboration. Users must:

  • Properly cite and acknowledge all sources used in their work
  • Give credit to original authors, contributors, and data providers
  • Respect authorship claims and contributor lists
  • Acknowledge funding sources and institutional support
  • Use appropriate citation formats and metadata standards

2.2 Respecting Intellectual Property Rights

Users must respect all intellectual property rights, including:

  • Complying with all applicable licenses (Creative Commons, open source, proprietary)
  • Not uploading content that infringes on patents, copyrights, trademarks, or trade secrets
  • Seeking proper permissions before sharing others' work
  • Understanding and adhering to the terms of data licenses you select for your own work
  • Respecting moral rights of creators

2.3 License Selection and Clarity

When sharing your work, you should:

  • Select appropriate licenses that clearly define how others may use your data
  • Use standard, recognized licenses (such as Creative Commons) when possible
  • Clearly display license information with all datasets and repositories
  • Understand the implications of the licenses you choose
  • Be consistent in licensing related materials

2.4 Derivative Works

When building upon others' work:

  • Maintain attribution throughout derivative works
  • Comply with license requirements for modification and redistribution
  • Clearly indicate what has been modified or added
  • Respect "share-alike" and other license conditions

3. Transparency and Openness

3.1 Open Science Principles

SplineCloud embraces open science values. We encourage users to:

  • Share data, methods, and results openly when possible
  • Make research outputs accessible to the broadest possible audience
  • Promote collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and borders
  • Support reproducibility through open methodologies
  • Contribute to the public knowledge commons

3.2 Clear Communication

Transparency requires clear, honest communication. Users should:

  • Clearly describe the purpose, scope, and limitations of their work
  • Use plain language when possible, with technical terms properly defined
  • Provide context that helps others understand and evaluate the work
  • Be explicit about uncertainties, assumptions, and potential biases
  • Clearly distinguish between facts, interpretations, and opinions

3.3 Disclosure of Limitations

Honest disclosure builds trust and enables better use of data. Users should:

  • Clearly identify known limitations, errors, or gaps in data
  • Disclose relevant methodological constraints
  • Acknowledge uncertainty and variability in results
  • Update documentation when new limitations are discovered
  • Warn users of potential misuse or misinterpretation risks

3.4 Conflict of Interest

To maintain trust and objectivity:

  • Disclose any financial, commercial, or personal interests that could influence your work
  • Be transparent about funding sources and sponsorships
  • Identify any affiliations that might represent conflicts of interest
  • Separate objective technical content from promotional material

3.5 Privacy and Confidentiality

While promoting openness, users must also:

  • Protect personal information and respect privacy rights
  • Anonymize or pseudonymize data containing personal information
  • Obtain necessary consents before sharing data about individuals
  • Comply with GDPR and other applicable privacy regulations
  • Balance transparency with legitimate confidentiality needs

4. Responsible Data Stewardship

4.1 Safety Considerations

Users have a responsibility to consider the safety implications of shared data:

  • Assess potential risks before sharing sensitive technical information
  • Consider whether data could be misused to cause harm
  • Take reasonable precautions with data related to safety-critical systems
  • Include appropriate warnings or use restrictions for hazardous information
  • Comply with dual-use regulations (see Acceptable Use Policies)

4.2 Environmental Responsibility

We encourage environmentally conscious data practices:

  • Consider the environmental impact of computational resources used
  • Optimize data storage and processing efficiency
  • Document environmental considerations in engineering data
  • Support sustainable engineering and design practices
  • Share knowledge that promotes environmental stewardship

4.3 Accessibility and Inclusion

Data should be accessible to diverse users:

  • Use standard, open formats when possible
  • Provide documentation in clear, accessible language
  • Consider the needs of users with different technical backgrounds
  • Support multiple languages where appropriate
  • Remove unnecessary barriers to data access and use

4.4 Quality Control

Users should implement appropriate quality control measures:

  • Review data for errors before publication
  • Implement validation and verification procedures
  • Respond promptly to quality concerns raised by others
  • Maintain version control and change tracking
  • Establish peer review processes for critical datasets

5. Scientific and Professional Integrity

5.1 Honesty in Reporting

Scientific and engineering integrity requires absolute honesty:

  • Never fabricate, falsify, or manipulate data
  • Report results accurately, whether they support your hypothesis or not
  • Do not selectively omit data to mislead
  • Correct errors promptly and transparently
  • Retract or withdraw work if serious flaws are discovered

5.2 Peer Review and Collaboration

Constructive peer review strengthens the community:

  • Provide thoughtful, constructive feedback on others' work
  • Accept criticism gracefully and use it to improve your work
  • Participate in peer review processes when qualified
  • Maintain confidentiality in review processes
  • Avoid conflicts of interest in evaluation and review

5.3 Professional Competence

Users should work within their areas of competence:

  • Be honest about your qualifications and expertise
  • Seek expert review when working outside your primary field
  • Clearly label preliminary or exploratory work
  • Acknowledge when questions are beyond your expertise
  • Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration where appropriate

5.4 Continuous Improvement

We value learning and improvement:

  • Stay current with best practices in your field
  • Update your knowledge of relevant standards and regulations
  • Learn from mistakes and share lessons learned
  • Contribute to improving platform standards and practices
  • Mentor others in ethical data stewardship

6. Social and Civic Responsibility

6.1 Civil Use Commitment

SplineCloud is dedicated to peaceful, civil purposes. Users must:

  • Use the platform and its data exclusively for lawful civil purposes
  • Not use data for military applications, weapons development, or activities that could contribute to human rights violations
  • Comply with EU Regulation 2021/821 on dual-use items and all applicable export control regulations
  • Refuse to participate in or support projects with harmful intent
  • Report suspected violations of civil use policies

See our Acceptable Use Policies for detailed dual-use requirements.

6.2 Societal Impact

We encourage consideration of broader societal impacts:

  • Consider how your work might affect society, communities, and individuals
  • Engage with stakeholders who may be affected by your work
  • Promote beneficial applications of technical knowledge
  • Consider equity and justice implications
  • Support work that advances human wellbeing

6.3 Public Communication

When communicating with the public about technical work:

  • Present findings accurately without exaggeration
  • Acknowledge uncertainties and limitations
  • Avoid sensationalism or misleading claims
  • Distinguish between expert scientific consensus and individual opinions
  • Correct misrepresentations of your work

6.4 Cultural Sensitivity

Respect diverse perspectives and cultures:

  • Be sensitive to cultural differences in technical practices and norms
  • Respect traditional knowledge and local expertise
  • Consider cultural context when sharing data about communities
  • Engage respectfully with diverse viewpoints
  • Promote inclusive participation in technical communities

7. Governance and Accountability

7.1 Personal Responsibility

Each user is personally responsible for:

  • Understanding and following this Code of Ethics
  • Making ethical decisions in ambiguous situations
  • Seeking guidance when facing ethical dilemmas
  • Holding themselves to high ethical standards
  • Setting a positive example for others

7.2 Organizational Responsibility

Organizations using SplineCloud should:

  • Establish internal policies consistent with this Code
  • Train staff on ethical data practices
  • Implement quality control and review processes
  • Designate responsible persons for data governance
  • Support ethical decision-making by team members

7.3 Platform Responsibility

SplineCloud commits to:

  • Providing clear policies and guidance on ethical data use
  • Maintaining secure, reliable infrastructure
  • Protecting user privacy and data
  • Responding to ethical concerns raised by the community
  • Continuously improving our ethical framework

7.4 Reporting Ethical Concerns

If you become aware of potential violations of this Code of Ethics:

  • Report concerns through appropriate channels (see below)
  • Provide specific information about the concern
  • Act in good faith without malicious intent
  • Cooperate with investigations
  • Respect confidentiality during the review process

How to report: - For privacy or data protection concerns: support@splinecloud.com with subject "Privacy Concerns" - For dual-use or safety concerns: support@splinecloud.com with subject "Ethics Violation" - For intellectual property concerns: support@splinecloud.com with subject "IP Concern" - For other ethical issues: support@splinecloud.com with subject "Ethics Inquiry"

7.5 Investigation and Enforcement

When ethical concerns are reported, SplineCloud will:

  • Review reports promptly and confidentially
  • Conduct fair, impartial investigations
  • Take appropriate action based on findings
  • Protect reporters from retaliation
  • Communicate outcomes as appropriate

Violations of this Code of Ethics may result in actions including: - Warning and request for correction - Content removal or restriction - Account suspension or termination - Reporting to relevant authorities for serious violations

See our Acceptable Use Policies and Community Guidelines for more information on enforcement.

8. Interpretation and Updates

8.1 Interpreting this Code

This Code provides ethical guidance, not absolute rules for every situation. Users should:

  • Apply these principles thoughtfully to specific situations
  • Seek guidance when facing difficult ethical decisions
  • Consider the spirit and intent of the Code
  • Balance competing values appropriately
  • Err on the side of transparency and responsibility

8.2 Relationship to Other Policies

This Code of Ethics works together with:

In case of conflicts, legal requirements in the Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policies take precedence.

8.3 Updates to this Code

We may update this Code of Ethics to reflect:

  • Evolving best practices in data ethics
  • Community feedback and experience
  • Changes in legal or regulatory requirements
  • Emerging ethical challenges in technology

Material changes will be announced at least 30 days before taking effect.

8.4 Community Input

We welcome feedback on this Code of Ethics:

  • Suggest improvements or clarifications
  • Share examples of ethical challenges you've faced
  • Propose new guidance for emerging issues
  • Help us strengthen our ethical framework

Contact us at support@splinecloud.com with subject "Code of Ethics Feedback"

9. Commitment and Acknowledgment

By using SplineCloud, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to uphold this Code of Ethics. We recognize that ethical challenges can be complex, and we are committed to supporting our community in making responsible decisions.

Together, we can build a platform that advances knowledge while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and social responsibility.

Legal Notices

This Code of Ethics complements but does not modify our Terms of Service, Acceptable Use Policies, or Privacy Statement. In case of conflicts, the Terms of Service govern the legal relationship between users and SplineCloud.

This Code of Ethics is licensed under the Creative Commons Zero license.

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: October 23, 2025
Last Updated: October 23, 2025

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