YesDR Consortium¶
Membership Fee Policy¶
Document Status: Informative
Effective From: [To be announced]
Approved By: YesDR Consortium Steering Committee
1. Purpose¶
This Membership Fee Policy defines the fee structure, payment terms, and financial principles governing participation in the YesDR Consortium. The policy aims to ensure sustainable consortium operations while preserving accessibility for academic institutions, researchers, and innovation-driven organizations.
2. Scope¶
This policy applies to all organizations and individuals seeking membership in the YesDR Consortium, including academic institutions, startups, industry partners, and individual contributors.
3. Membership Categories¶
The YesDR Consortium recognizes the following membership categories:
3.1 Academic Member¶
- Universities
- Engineering colleges
- Public research institutions
- Government-funded laboratories
3.2 Startup / SME Member¶
- Early-stage startups
- Small and medium enterprises
- Organizations working on SDR, 5G/6G, AI, and wireless systems
3.3 Industry Member¶
- Large enterprises
- Telecom vendors
- System integrators
- Platform and semiconductor providers
3.4 Individual Member¶
- Independent researchers
- Faculty members
- Graduate and postgraduate students
- Professionals participating in an individual capacity
3.5 Strategic / Founding Member¶
- Organizations providing significant technical, financial, or infrastructure contributions to the YesDR ecosystem
4. Membership Fee Structure¶
| Membership Category | Annual Fee | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Member | Nil / Nominal | Encouraged for education and research |
| Individual Member | Nominal | Non-commercial participation |
| Startup / SME Member | Moderate | Scaled for early-stage organizations |
| Industry Member | Standard | Commercial participation |
| Strategic / Founding Member | By agreement | Customized contribution |
Note: Fee amounts are published separately and may vary based on region, consortium phase, or strategic considerations.
5. Fee Principles¶
The following principles govern membership fees:
- Membership fees are charged on an annual basis unless otherwise specified.
- Fees are non-refundable once membership is activated.
- Fee waivers or reductions may be granted to academic or non-profit entities.
- Membership fees are reviewed periodically by the Steering Committee.
- Public access to released YesDR specifications does not require membership.
6. Use of Membership Fees¶
Membership fees are used exclusively to support YesDR Consortium activities, including but not limited to:
- Development and maintenance of YesDR specifications
- Documentation, website, and hosting infrastructure
- Reference implementations and tooling support
- Workshops, tutorials, and outreach programs
- Administrative and governance operations
7. Membership Benefits¶
Depending on the membership category, benefits may include:
- Participation in technical working groups
- Early access to draft specifications
- Voting rights in consortium decisions (where applicable)
- Recognition on the YesDR Consortium website
- Access to member-only discussions and reviews
Specific benefits are defined separately for each membership category.
8. Fee Review and Revision¶
- Membership fees may be revised periodically.
- Any revisions will be communicated in advance.
- Existing members may be provided a transition period where applicable.
9. Compliance and Termination¶
- Membership may be suspended or terminated in case of non-payment.
- Termination does not affect previously published public contributions.
- Membership may be reinstated upon settlement of outstanding dues.
10. Transparency¶
The YesDR Consortium is committed to transparent financial governance. High-level summaries of membership fee utilization may be shared with members periodically.
11. Disclaimer¶
Payment of membership fees does not imply ownership or exclusive control of the YesDR standard. All specifications remain governed by the consortium under applicable licensing, contribution, and governance policies.