OpenMTA, a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) providing legal frameworks to
research organizations in defining terms and conditions for sharing their
materials has been made available through an international collaboration.

The new easy to use tool is designed to support openness, sharing, and
innovation in global biotechnology. Developed by the San Francisco-based
BioBricks Foundation and the UK-based OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research
Centre, OpenMTA allows redistribution and commercial use of materials, while
respecting the rights of creators and promoting safe practices.

OpenMTA is designed based on access, attribution, reuse, redistribution, and
non-discrimination. These design goals include safety and sharing in an
international context. Dr. Linda Kahl, Senior Counsel of Biobricks
Foundation, said, "We encourage organizations worldwide to sign the OpenMTA
Master Agreement and start using it." Dr. Kahl added that their goal is for
the OpenMTA to be the default option for the transfer of research materials
in five years' time.

[biobricks.org]