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Intellectual Property (IP) Framework for DEP 2 DAOs

Estimated reading: 8 minutes 25 views

Purpose

As Kambria DAOs model is designed for co-owning innovations, one of the key objectives of the DAO Experimentation Program (DEP) is to experiment with and refine the IP framework.

This framework defines how intellectual property (IP) is identified, used, and governed within DEP 2 DAOs.

It aims to:

  • Ensure clarity of ownership and usage
  • Align contributors, initiators, and partners
  • Enable fair value creation and regeneration
  • Prepare DAOs for future IP governance and licensing models

Outputs and learnings from DEP 2 may inform future DAO structures. Advanced implementations (e.g., NFT-based IP, automated licensing, and smart contract-based distribution) may be introduced in later cohorts.

Scope

This framework is introduced for awareness, alignment, and experimentation within DEP 2. Participants are expected to understand and respect this shared working model as part of the program environment.

As DEP 2 is an experimental phase:

  • Participants are encouraged to provide feedback and suggest improvements to the framework based on practical experience
  • The framework may be refined over time to better support DAO operations and ecosystem goals

In case of disagreement or conflict:

  • Participants should first raise the issue within the DAO for discussion and alignment
  • If needed, DAO Facilitators (Kambria) will support clarification and resolution
  • Final decisions during DEP 2 will follow DAO governance where applicable, or facilitator guidance when required to ensure program continuity

Core Principle

IP created through DAO activities is treated as DAO-governed, unless otherwise disclosed and approved.

DAO governance means:

  • The DAO defines how IP is used, licensed, and commercialized
  • Decisions are made according to DAO rules, not unilateral control by individuals or teams

Framework Components

Each DAO must define and operate under the following:

1. IP Classification

DAOs must clearly distinguish:

  • Pre-existing IP: Assets owned by individuals or teams prior to DEP
  • DAO IP: Assets created or co-created through DAO activities
  • Exclusions: Assets not included in DAO IP

Pre-existing IP must be declared upfront.

2. Licensing

DAOs must define:

  • Who can use DAO IP
  • Under what conditions
  • Any restrictions

All licensing and usage decisions must follow DAO-defined rules.

3. Revenue Model (DEP 2)

DAOs must define how value generated from DAO IP is captured and allocated.

  • The DAO is expected to capture sufficient value to meet the regeneration target ($3,000) during the execution cycle
  • Revenue structures may include direct sales, services, licensing, or hybrid models
  • Contributor compensation is typically structured as stipends, task-based payments, or DAO-approved incentives

Revenue models should prioritize:

  • Practical execution
  • Clear value capture for the DAO
  • Alignment with contributor incentives

4. Governance Scope

DAOs must specify which decisions require DAO approval, including:

  • Creation of new outputs or designs
  • Selection of partners or collaborators
  • Pricing and revenue models
  • Allocation of revenue

Each DAO must clearly distinguish between:

  • Decisions governed by the DAO
  • Decisions handled by operational roles

DAO-Specific Application

1. Cultural & Creative DAO

IP Classification

  • Pre-existing IP: Artisan techniques, personal designs, and traditional methods remain owned by individual creators.
  • DAO IP: Designs, collections, branding, storytelling, and packaging that are co-created through DAO collaboration are treated as DAO-governed shared assets during DEP 2.
  • Exclusions: Individual works that are not developed through DAO collaboration are not included in DAO IP.

Licensing

  • Eligible Users: DAO IP may be used by DAO members, approved artisans, and partners.
  • Conditions: All usage must include proper attribution and comply with DAO-defined quality and brand standards.
  • Restrictions: DAO IP must not be used outside DAO-approved channels without prior approval.

Revenue Model

  • Revenue Sources: Revenue is generated through product sales and collaborations.
  • DAO Capture: The DAO captures 70–100% of revenue into the DAO treasury during the DEP 2 execution phase.
  • Contributor Compensation: Contributors are compensated through stipends, production cost coverage, or task-based payments funded by the DAO.
  • Other: The DAO may approve additional bonuses or recognition rewards based on performance and contribution.

Note: The DAO may directly coordinate sales in the early stage to ensure the regeneration target is achieved.

Governance Scope

The following decisions require DAO approval:

  • The creation of new collections or designs requires DAO approval.
  • The selection of artisans, partners, or collaborators requires DAO approval.
  • Pricing and positioning guidelines are defined through DAO decisions.
  • Allocation of revenue from DAO activities is determined through DAO governance.

2. Exchange DAO

IP Classification

  • Pre-existing IP: Existing tools, systems, or operational methods brought by contributors remain owned by the original contributors unless otherwise agreed.
  • DAO IP: Service models, workflows, operational processes, and documentation developed through DAO activities are treated as DAO-governed shared assets during DEP 2.
  • Exclusions: External platforms or systems not developed within the DAO are not included in DAO IP.

Licensing

  • Eligible Users: DAO IP may be used by DAO-approved operators and partners.
  • Conditions: Usage must comply with DAO-defined operational standards, reporting requirements, and service guidelines.
  • Restrictions: DAO IP must not be used to operate independent services outside DAO governance without approval.
  • Scope: Usage during DEP 2 is limited to pilot implementations and DAO-approved operations.

Revenue Model

  • Revenue Sources: Revenue is generated through transaction fees and service fees.
  • DAO Capture: The DAO captures 70–100% of revenue into the DAO treasury during the DEP 2 execution phase.
  • Contributor / Operator Compensation: Contributors and operators are compensated through task-based payments, service fees, or DAO-approved incentives.
  • Other: Incentive structures may be refined over time through DAO governance.

Note: Revenue structure prioritizes validation of sustainable service models during DEP 2.

Governance Scope

The following decisions require DAO approval:

  • Service rules are defined and refined through DAO decisions.
  • Selection and onboarding of operators or partners require DAO approval.
  • Transaction fees and service pricing are tested and approved by the DAO.
  • Allocation of revenue is determined through DAO governance.

3. KAT Tokenomics DAO

IP Classification

  • Pre-existing IP: Any existing token models or research brought by contributors remain owned by the original contributors unless otherwise agreed.
  • DAO IP: Token models, incentive mechanisms, governance frameworks, and related documentation developed through DAO collaboration are treated as DAO-governed experimental assets during DEP 2.
  • Exclusions: External protocols or systems not developed within the DAO are not included in DAO IP.

Licensing

  • Eligible Users: DAO IP may be used by Kambria DAOs and approved ecosystem partners.
  • Conditions: Usage must comply with DAO-defined token logic, governance rules, and ecosystem alignment principles.
  • Restrictions: DAO IP must not be independently deployed or commercialized without DAO approval.
  • Scope: Usage during DEP 2 is primarily for testing, simulation, and ecosystem integration.

Revenue Model

  • Revenue Sources: Value is generated through token utility design, protocol usage concepts, and DAO integrations.
  • DAO Capture: The DAO captures value at the treasury level during DEP 2.
  • Contributor Compensation: Contributors are rewarded through KAT incentives, task-based allocations, or DAO-approved distributions.
  • Other: Value distribution mechanisms are defined and tested through DAO governance.

Note: Value capture reflects experimental system design rather than finalized token economics.

Governance Scope

The following decisions require DAO approval during the DEP 2 execution phase:

  • The selection, testing, and refinement of token models require DAO approval.
  • The design and adjustment of incentive mechanisms require DAO approval.
  • Proposed integrations with other DAOs or use cases within DEP require DAO approval.
  • Allocation of DAO funds for experiments and incentives is determined through DAO governance.

4. Participant-Proposed DAO (PPD)

IP Classification

  • Pre-existing IP: All pre-existing assets must be clearly declared and remain owned by the proposing team unless otherwise agreed.
  • DAO IP: Outputs created or co-created during DEP (e.g., features, content, data, documentation) are treated as DAO-governed shared assets.
  • Exclusions: Any assets not disclosed or not developed through DAO collaboration are not included in DAO IP.

Note: DAO IP defined here applies to outputs created during DEP 2 and does not automatically determine long-term ownership beyond the program without further agreement.

Licensing

  • Eligible Users: DAO IP may be used by DAO members and contributors by default.
  • Conditions: Usage for DAO-related purposes is allowed, while external use requires DAO approval.
  • Restrictions: Any limitations must be clearly defined and disclosed upfront.
  • Scope: Licensing during DEP 2 is primarily for validation and DAO-related use.

Revenue Model

  • Revenue Sources: Revenue may be generated through product sales, licensing, or services.
  • DAO Capture: The DAO is expected to capture 70–100% of revenue during the DEP 2 execution phase to meet the regeneration target.
  • Team / Contributor Compensation: Teams and contributors are compensated through stipends, milestone-based payments, or task-based rewards funded by the DAO.
  • Other: Alternative revenue models must be explicitly proposed, justified, and approved by the DAO.

Note: Revenue structure during DEP 2 focuses on regeneration validation and may differ from long-term commercial models.

Governance Scope

The following decisions require DAO approval:

  • Decisions on outputs created within the DAO require DAO approval.
  • Use of DAO IP for external purposes requires DAO approval.
  • Allocation of DAO-captured revenue is determined through DAO governance.
  • Governance over core product direction must be clearly defined and agreed upon between the team and the DAO, and applies only to DAO-related outputs during DEP 2.

Summary

DEP 2 requires all DAOs to:

  • Declare IP scope
  • Define usage and revenue models
  • Align on governance of shared assets

This ensures fair collaboration, enables regeneration, and prepares DAOs for scalable, co-owned innovation in future phases.