Swedish Institute of Computer Science

 

Statutes for the Foundation Swedish Institute of Computer Science

§1. The goals of the Foundation, the Swedish Institute of Computer Science (SICS), are to conduct research within the field of applied computer science in Sweden and to promote practical use of its results. By means of such activities the Foundation shall promote the technical renewal of industry.
The Foundation shall endeavour to work in co-operation with universities, colleges and research institutes and to participate in the further education and training of technicians and research scientists within the field.

§2. The Foundation shall carry on the research within applied computer science as defined in agreements between the National Board for Industrial and Technical Development (NUTEK) and the Foundation’s main interested parties. These main interested parties shall comprise Swedish enterprises, organisations or associations which undertake to fulfil such obligations as follow from joint agreements concerning research grants to the Foundation etc.
The relationship as between the main interested parties is regulated by separate agreements and meetings.

§3. The affairs of the Foundation are managed by a Board which shall have its seat in Stockholm.
The Board shall consist of a Chairman and a maximum of eight other members.
The members of the Board are appointed by the National Board for Industrial and Technical Development (NUTEK) and by the main interested parties. NUTEK appoints four other members for a period not exceeding three years. The main interested parties appoint the Chairman and the same number of other members as NUTEK, i.e. a total not exceeding five members. Personal deputies may be appointed.
The Board appoints from among its number a Vice-Chairman. Meetings of the Board are convened by the Chairman or on request of at least half the members.
The Board is quorate if more than half the number of members appointed by NUTEK and more than half the number of members appointed by the main interested parties are present. Decisions are taken by a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman has the casting vote.
Minutes shall be kept at meetings of the Board.

§5. The name of the Foundation is Swedish Institute of Computer Science. Authorised signatories for the Foundation are the Board and those members of the Board or other persons authorised by the Board to sign on behalf of the Foundation.

§6. Two auditors shall be appointed to examine the administration of the Board and the accounts of the Foundation. At least one of these auditors shall be an approved accountant or authorised public accountant. One auditor is appointed by NUTEK and one by the main interested parties.

§7. The financial year of the Foundation shall be 1 July 1995 - 31 December 1996, and thereafter 1 January - 31 December.
Within two months after the end of each financial year, the Board shall arrange for the accounts of the Foundation to be drawn up in the form of annual accounts. In conjunction therewith the Board shall also produce an administration report. These documents shall be submitted to the auditors not later than five months after the end of the financial year. After examination of the accounts, the auditors shall present an auditor’s report not later than six months after the end of the financial year. Copies of the annual accounts, administration report and auditor’s report shall be delivered to the main interested parties and NUTEK.
If the auditors have not found reason to express qualifications in respect of the administration of the Board or the accounts of the Foundation, the members of the Board are regarded as having been discharged from liability. If this should not be the case, each of the interested parties and NUTEK shall be entitled to bring such suit as may be regarded as being called for as a consequence hereof.

§8. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the activities of the Foundation are conducted in such a way that its objects are fulfilled and its interests observed.
The Board appoints a Director to manage and supervise the work of the Foundation. The Director answers to the Board and carries out its decisions.

§9. It is incumbent upon the Board to appoint committees, steering groups etc. in order to conduct research activities in accordance with the Foundation’s objects. For example, a scientific council may be established, whose main task is to assist the Board in matters concerning guidelines and programmes for research activities and to monitor on behalf of the Board the scientific quality of activities carried on.

§10. The Foundation shall have the same rights in respect of discoveries and inventions produced within the Foundation as those accruing to an employer pursuant to agreements from time to time in force between SAF (the Swedish Employer’s Confederation) and PTK (the Federation of Salaried Employees in Industry and Services). The Foundation shall reserve title to other intellectual property rights arising within the Foundation. The Board is entitled to grant exceptions to the above when there are particular reasons for so doing.
The main interested parties are entitled on their own account to free and unrestricted access to the discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property rights owned by the Institute, subject to the exceptions following from the provisions below. The Board decides on assignment or grant of rights to parties other than main interested parties. In such case special fees may be charged after the Board has decided on the matter, for example to cover a reasonable proportion of development costs.
Subject to the approval of all main interested parties, the Board may grant one or more enterprises the sole right to a discovery, invention or other intellectual property right. In any such case the acquirer shall compensate the Foundation for the total development cost. The Board is entitled to require additional payment when there are particular reasons for so doing.
The Board is entitled to utilise income received by the Foundation as a result of assignment or grant of the right to a discovery, invention or work for the objectives specified in §1 above.

§11. If the Board so decides, the Foundation may undertake research assignments, for which the commissioner of the assignment shall as a rule compensate the Foundation at least for all costs arising in connection with the assignment. Discoveries, inventions or works which may result from such assignment shall normally be assigned at no additional charge or, if this is not possible, a right of enjoyment of such discoveries, inventions or works shall be granted to the commissioner of the assignment. The Foundation shall in the first place undertake assignments commissioned by main interested parties and in the second place assignments commissioned by other enterprises.

§12. The Foundation is entitled to receive gifts and donations intended to promote its activities.

§13. Amendments to these Statutes are decided by the board of the Foundation by a two-thirds majority following consultation with the main interested parties and NUTEK. Proposed amendments to the Statutes shall be reproduced in full in the notice of the meeting. The amendments are submitted to the Government for its affirmation.

§14. A decision to dissolve the Foundation may be taken by the Board by a two-thirds majority. A proposal to dissolve the Foundation shall be reproduced in the notice of the meeting. In the event of dissolution the assets of the Foundation shall be allocated in accordance with a decision of the Board for purposes pursuant to §1.