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7 International DOI Foundation

 

This chapter describes the organization which governs the DOI® System.

© International DOI Foundation  •  Last updated: March 26, 2015

 

7.1 Status
7.2 Role
      7.2.1 Summary
      7.2.2 Role as ISO 26324 Registration Authority
7.3 Relations with other organizations
7.4 Membership information
      7.4.1 Membership obligations
      7.4.2 Classes of membership
      7.4.3 Subsidiaries of member organizations
      7.4.4 Membership fees
7.5 Governance
      7.5.1 Board
      7.5.2 Board Members
      7.5.3 Board meetings
7.6 Member participation
      7.6.1 Member representative details
      7.6.2 Press and news
      7.6.3 Members' web site
      7.6.4 IDF Members Strategy Meetings
      7.6.5 Registration Agencies Working Group and meetings
      7.6.6 Mailing and discussion lists
      7.6.7 Trial prefix
      7.6.8 Directory Manager's Report
      7.6.9 Materials for use by members

 

7.1 Status

The International DOI Foundation, Inc. (IDF) is a non-stock membership corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, USA, registered on 10 October 1997, registration number 2807134 8100. The Foundation is controlled by a Board elected by the members of the Foundation. The Corporation is a "not-for-profit" organization, i.e. prohibited from activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from US federal income tax under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 et seq.

Costs incurred by the IDF are recouped from operation of the system via a self-funding business model. The implementation of the DOI system adds value, but necessarily incurs some resource costs in data management, infrastructure provision, and governance, all of which contribute to persistence. Persistence is a function of organisations, not technology.

A Managing Agent is contracted by the IDF, who represents IDF worldwide, and is responsible for the implementation of policies and management of all aspects of the affairs of the IDF. Functions such as technical operations, legal and financial services are outsourced.

 

7.2 Role

 

7.2.1 Summary

The IDF is the DOI system registration authority and maintenance agency and the central body which governs the DOI system. It is the common management and co-ordination body for DOI Registration Agencies; it also manages those aspects of the DOI system that are put through external standardization procedures, as well as those aspects of the DOI system that are dealt with through internal policies and procedures. Responsibilities of the registration authority include:

 

7.2.2 Role as ISO 26324 Registration Authority

The International DOI Foundation is the ISO 26324 Registration Authority, governed by an agreement between ISO and the IDF. ISO 26324 contains the requirement that "the DOI system shall be administered by the ISO Registration Authority for this International Standard, hereafter referred to as the ISO 26324 Registration Authority, in accordance with the specifications outlined in Annex C". Annex C of ISO 26324 provides the following description of the administration of the DOI system:

General

The DOI system shall be administered by the ISO 26324 Registration Authority in accordance with the specifications outlined below.

ISO 26324 Registration Authority

The ISO 26324 Registration Authority shall provide the following services.

  1. Promote, coordinate and supervise the DOI system in compliance with the specifications of this International Standard.
  2. Supply technology and infrastructure for resolution, metadata and registration functionality in compliance with the specifications of this International Standard and ensure that any changes in selected technology will be compatible with earlier DOI applications.
  3. Allocate unique DOI prefixes to registrants and maintain an accurate register of the DOI prefixes that have been assigned.
  4. Secure the maintenance of DOI names and associated DOI resolution records through the maintenance of a single logical directory of all registered DOI names, the DOI directory.
  5. Enable the registration and mapping of DOI metadata through the maintenance of, or agreed use of, an appropriate data dictionary.
  6. Implement policies and procedures governing the process of DOI registration, including rules to aid persistence of DOI names and interoperability within networks of DOI users.
  7. Develop, maintain and make available documentation for users of the DOI system, including the provision of a User Manual for registrants which shall specify implementation details in conformance with this International Standard.
  8. Review relevant technology developments and maintain current information on appropriate syntax character encoding, resolution software implementations, etc.
  9. Where multiple DOI names are assigned to the same referent, e.g. through assignment of DOI names by two different registrants, provide a unifying record for that referent.

Conditions for registration

The ISO 26324 Registration Authority shall ensure that each registrant complies with the following conditions.

  1. The DOI suffix assigned within their registrant code is unique, thereby ensuring that each DOI name is unique within the DOI system.
  2. Each referent registered is assigned only one DOI name. Where multiple DOI names are inadvertently assigned to the same referent, provide a unifying record for that referent.
  3. Each DOI name assigned is registered with the required Metadata Declaration (see Annex B) in the DOI resolution system, following the specifications established by the ISO 26324 Registration Authority and any further rules established for its internal management.

Technical duties of ISO 26324 Registration Authority

The ISO 26324 Registration Authority shall provide the following technical services by means of a User Manual (this web site and handbook).

  1. Maintain a list of approved proxy servers (such as http://doi.org/ or http://dx.doi.org/ which resolve DOI names in web browsers).
  2. Provide current information on appropriate encoding of characters.
  3. Provide current information on resolution technology.
  4. Maintain a list of representations used in other schemes.
  5. Provide information on common encodings.
  6. Specify, if required, more constrained rules for the assignment of DOI names to objects for services which make use of the DOI system. Where specified, these rules shall be compatible with the overall DOI system specification and shall not form part of this International Standard.
  7. Publish rules to aid persistence of identification (e.g. requirements for maintenance of records, default resolution services).
  8. Publish the DOI Kernel Metadata Declaration that specifies the metadata elements for each DOI name.
  9. Provide output metadata to support the services of the DOI system.
  10. Establish format and schema specifications for input and service metadata declarations.
  11. Provide a data dictionary as the repository for all data elements and allowed values used in DOI metadata specifications to facilitate interoperability across selected existing schemes.
  12. Provide a data dictionary as the repository for all data elements and allowed values (the items which may be used as values of each element) used in DOI metadata specifications.
  13. Provide the data dictionary mappings of other relevant schemes, as determined by the ISO 26324 Registration Authority (such as ISO codes for territories, currencies and languages).
  14. Specify a set of allowed values of each kernel element.
  15. Specify an XML schema of the DOI Kernel Metadata Declaration.
  16. Register sets of other metadata elements and sub-elements as needed.
  17. Prevent duplication of a DOI name once registered.
 

7.3 Relations with other organizations

A key role of the IDF is representation to organizations which are of strategic importance in the implementation of the DOI system. These include:

The IDF also maintains formal and informal alliances and liaisons with several organisations. A significant element of the work of the IDF lies in tracking standards developments in related areas, understanding their significance to the context within which the DOI system operates, and establishing working relationships with the responsible organizations and projects to ensure that appropriate co-operation is fostered to mutual benefit and that parallel developments do not remain in ignorance of one another.

The IDF is also the formal Registration Authority of the ISO/IEC MPEG21 Rights Data Dictionary. This standard is not a requirement of or for DOI use. For further information, send questions to contact@doi.org.

 

7.4 Membership information

The activities of the foundation are controlled by its members, operating under a legal Charter and formal By-laws. Membership is open to all organizations with an interest in digital network publishing, content distribution, rights management, and related enabling technologies. A list of current members is available here.

 

7.4.1 Membership obligations

Members agree to support the goals of the IDF, which ensure that the DOI system is an internationally adopted standard for digital object identification, and to participate in the activities of the IDF. By participating in membership of the IDF and accessing the password-controlled portions of this site, members agree to comply with the IDF's By laws, Agreements and Policies as these may be updated from time to time. Members agree to restrict access to the password-controlled portions of this site to members of the International DOI Foundation.

 

7.4.2 Classes of membership

There are four classes of membership: General, Registration Agency, Charter, and Affiliate. General, RA and Charter Members are entitled to vote in annual IDF elections within their own category of membership. Affiliate membership does not carry voting rights. Note that membership of the IDF is NOT required in order to be a customer of a DOI Registration Agency and to assign DOI names.

 

7.4.3 Subsidiaries of member organizations

The rights of membership participation flow downward to subsidiaries of members as follows:

 

7.4.4 Membership fees

Membership fees fall due annually on the anniversary of joining. US members will be invoiced their member fees in US dollars and non-US members will be invoiced their member fees in GBP£ converted at a fixed rate of 1.86:1.

The current annual fees are:

There are no differences in member rights and benefits between Charter and General, nor for those for which a reduced fee is payable. Criteria which will be considered in applications for such reduction include, in particular, any of the following:

If a General member subsequently is appointed as a Registration Agency, their membership transfers from the General to the RA category, and any unexpired portion of the previous General membership fee is credited to their RA membership dues.

In general, it is likely that the cost of fees will be deductible as a business expense of the joining entity. The detailed question of deductibility is, however, a matter for the tax advisors of the entity that is joining, and it is not governed by IDF's status as a not-for-profit entity.

 

7.5 Governance

The By-laws and Charter of the Foundation are available to IDF members here.

 

7.5.1 Board

The International DOI Foundation is governed by its members, through an elected board. The Board officers include a Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, each elected from the Board of Directors. The members of the Board of the IDF are not remunerated for their services to the IDF. The Board appoints a Managing Agent responsible for managing the IDF and carrying out policy formulated by the Foundation. The Board is responsible for all aspects of management of the DOI system, including policy formulation and standards maintenance.

The Executive Committee is a subcommittee of the Board, elected by the Board, consisting of not fewer than three Directors and chaired by the Chairman of the IDF Board. It may meet between Board meetings to deal with matters not requiring a meeting of the full Board, or requiring urgent discussion. In practice, the Executive Committee normally consists of the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer. The Executive Committee always includes representation of both RAs and non-RAs.

 

7.5.2 Board members

  1. All Charter Members are automatically members of the Board;
  2. All Registration Agencies are automatically members of the Board after one full year of RA membership;
  3. General Members are represented by one seat on the Board held for a three-year term, nominated from amongst the existing General Members of the Foundation. Procedures for election in the event of more than one nomination are defined in the By-Laws.
  4. Affiliate Members are not represented on the Board.

The Board reviews the number and distribution of Board seats from time to time. Although Board membership is by member organization not by individual, an individual representative is required to be named by each organization. That individual will represent the organization at all board meetings and in voting issues; substitution of another individual from the organization at board meetings is possible by advance agreement of the Chairman of the board. Should the individual leave the Member organization, or step down from the representation role, the organization will name a replacement.

 

7.5.3 Board meetings

The IDF Board meets regularly. Issues which any member feels should be considered by the Board should first be brought to the attention of the Managing Agent or a representative board member. Board meetings are open to all members who may attend as observers and participate but not vote, except for designated closed Executive Sessions.

 

7.6 Member participation

 

7.6.1 Member representative details

Each member organisation must provide one named IDF representative, who will be responsible for IDF relations, including voting rights. All member representative names, email addresses, telephone and fax numbers are listed on the Members' Only web site. Members must ensure that the IDF is kept informed of any changes. Additional persons from the member organisation may participate in all IDF activities.

 

7.6.2 Press and news

Members are requested to add IDF to the circulation of all their press releases and news announcements, and notify IDF of forthcoming relevant events and activities. Selected news about members' DOI activities will be carried on the DOI News page, with a link to the original announcement. Major announcements will also be featured in the DOI News mailing list.

 

7.6.3 Members' web site

Part of the IDF web site (at http://www.doi.org/idf-members/index.html) is restricted to members only. By participating in membership of the IDF and accessing the materials on this site, member organisations agree to comply with the IDF's By-laws, Agreements and Policies as these may be updated from time to time. A unique username and password will be issued to each member organisation representative who will be responsible for distributing it to appropriate people within their organisation requiring access to the Members Only web site. Access requires that members agree to restrict access to the password-controlled portions of this site to members of the International DOI Foundation.

 

7.6.4 IDF Members Strategy Meetings

IDF Members Strategy Meetings are held twice yearly, usually one in mid-year and one at the end of the year, and are open to all members and non-member guests (by invitation only). Members will be advised of forthcoming meetings by email to the IDF Members Mailing List and details are also posted on the Members Only web site near the time of each meeting. An archive of Members Meetings materials and reports is maintained.

 

7.6.5 Registration Agencies Working Group and meetings

A Working Group is established by IDF for Registration Agencies (RAWG). This consists of a representative from each Registration Agency. Whilst normally the RA representatives participate in the wider Members Working Group (MWG) and strategy meetings, the RAs may on occasion convene a RAWG meeting so that matters specific to RAs can be discussed prior to a recommendation being made to the IDF Board, as contemplated in the IDF RA agreement. Examples of such matters include setting or changing RA policies and fees.

 

7.6.6 Mail and discussion lists

DOI® News (news@doi.org) is an open, subscriber newsletter sent out periodically containing a summary (one to two pages) of recent news. Subscribers are encouraged to publicise this list, and to redistribute DOI News to others. Archived copies of previous News releases are available here.

IDF Members (members@doi.org) is a private list to which a named member representative will be subscribed for dissemination of important information to IDF members.

MWG (mwg@doi.org), is the Members Working Group discussion list, open to any IDF member organisation. It is provided for discussion of any technical or operational issues, and for the exchange of views on strategic issues in an early stage of discussion.

DOI-RATech (doi-ratech@doi.org), is for technical discussion among the IDF RAs. Contact Norman Paskin for more information.

 

7.6.7 Trial prefix

On joining the IDF, a unique DOI prefix is available for experimental purposes for each member. Contact the Directory Manager (jeuler@cnri.reston.va.us) to request one, and discuss possible usage. The number of DOI names allocated with this experimental prefix will be subject to review and may be limited at the discretion of the IDF. If further DOI prefixes are required for non-experimental purposes, members must work with one of the Registration Agency members. Trial prefix use is particularly intended for those members wishing to develop applications and move to later Registration Agency status.

 

7.6.8 Directory Manager's Report

A Directory Manager's report is compiled regularly and provides information on the overall number of DOI names registered by each Registration Agency, and other relevant usage information.

 

7.6.9 Materials for use by members

DOI brand identity is in use and should be adopted by all IDF members. Marketing materials are included with the identity guidance.

 

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