Registering with the Symbian Foundation

We've tried to make the process as easy as possible, but if you do get lost along the way, help is at hand:

Review our membership eligibility requirements
Frequently asked questions
Go to our (interim) membership support forum

Overview of the application process

DOWNLOAD & COMPLETE the Membership Application Form with your company information, contact details, membership directory information, payments details. Note: you need Acrobat Reader installed to complete the form.
SUBMIT the completed Membership Application Form. You must connected online to the internet and click on the SUBMIT button on the form. Your Main Contact will receive via email final agreements for signature that are populated with the submitted company information.
PRINT these final versions of the Deed of Adherence and Member Contribution Agreement
SIGN the Deed of Adherence and Member Contribution Agreement (note: required only if you intend to contribute to the Symbian Foundation Platform) by authorized company signatories.
FAX the signed agreements to +44 207 183 6100.
RECEIPT of $1500 USD + 15% VAT (where applicable), will be either be invoiced or charged to the credit card entered in your application form after the Symbian Foundation provisionally approves the membership application.
POST the originals of the signed agreements to: MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION | Symbian Foundation Limited | 1 Boundary Row | London, SE1 8HP | United Kingdom

What happens after you submit the forms?

The Symbian Foundation will review your application (i.e. it may take up to a month from when you fax your signed legal documents for your application to be processed).

If your application is successful:

You will be charged the annual of membership fee via the credit card details you provided or invoice.
A Symbian Foundation Community Manager will notify your designated Main Contact (via email) of your membership.
Employees of your company (based on domain of email address) will be granted access to areas of the Symbian Foundation website reserved for members [Note: Not available until Symbian Foundation is fully operational .]
Your company will be added to the Symbian Foundation Membership Directory of all members which is published on the Symbian Foundation website. [Note: Not available until Symbian Foundation is fully operational]
Note that the membership fee is subsequently charged on a fixed date in March every year. New memberships in the first quarter will carry over to the following year without additional charge.

If there are any problems with your application, your main contact will be contacted (via email) by a Community Manager.

Membership Eligibility Criteria

Membership of the Symbian Foundation is available to organizations meeting the following criteri

Must be an incorporated company or organization. Individuals can not become a Member.
A parent company should sign on behalf of all controlled entities and the applicant company should not have a parent company. If there are reasonable reasons why a parent company may not become a member, then the parent company must co-sign the Deed of Adherence in conjunction with the applicant company.
Successful submission of the Membership Application Form.
Receipt by Symbian Foundation of Signed of the Deed of Adherence.
Members also wishing to contribute source code or other artefacts are further required to sign and return the Member Contribution Agreement.
Approval of membership by the Symbian Foundation.
Receipt of payment of the annual membership fee of $1500 USD + 15% VAT (where applicable).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Deed of Adherence?

The Deed of Adherence is the deed that a company signs in order to become a member of the Symbian Foundation. It stipulates that a member shall comply with the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Membership Rules.

The applicant company should not have a parent company. If there are good reasons why the parent company may not become a member, then the parent company must co-sign the agreement.

Note that the deed does need to be counter-signed by the Symbian Foundation. It becomes active when the applicant has been approved by the Symbian Foundation, and when payment for membership is received.

A copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Membership Rules are available by clicking here.

What is the Member Contribution Agreement

The Membership Contribution Agreement must be signed in order for a member able to contribute code into the Symbian Foundation Platform. It grants the Symbian Foundation the licenses to certain software assets and copyrights and trade secrets as set forth in the agreement.

A copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Membership Rules are available be clicking here.

Do the Deed of Adherence and Membership Contribution Agreements need to be signed each year?

No, each year you are only required to resubmit payment for the membership fees each year, agreements do not need to be re-signed.

How long does membership last?

Each membership year you will be required to pay fees for the coming membership year. Membership fees are due by 31st March each year to remain as an active member. More details on requirements to remain in good standing as a member are documented in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Membership Rules.

How can I stop my membership?

Yes, you may resign your membership and the requirements are documented in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Membership Rules.

There is something in the agreement I do not like, can it be changed?

No, the agreements are not negotiable and need to be consistent for all members.

Which credit cards are accepted for payment of membership fees?

American Express, Visa, Mastercard.

Are my Credit card details secure?

The credit card details you provide in your Membership Application Form are securely transmitted via FormRouter site, which in turn stores them directly to the Symbian Foundation CRM system. The protocols used to ensure this security are outlined here: http://www.formrouter.com/security.htm.

Once received by Symbian Foundation the credit card number is visible only to selected staff; the Payment Controller and System Administrator. Once your membership is active, or if it is rejected, your credit card details are automatically deleted from the CRM system.

Can I pay any other way than credit card?

Yes. The application form allows you to specify a Purchase Order reference against which we can bill you. Note however that an invoice is not sent until your membership is approved and your membership will not become active until payment is received - so this may significantly delay your access to member areas of the site.

If membership is not accepted do I have to pay?

No, your credit card will not be charged until after you are accepted as a member by the Symbian Foundation.

Can membership of Symbian Foundation be kept confidential?

Once the Symbian Foundation is fully operational all members of the foundation will be publicly listed in an online Membership Directory.

Will I find out why my company's membership application is not approved?M

It is anticipated that most companies will be included as members. In the few cases where a membership application is not accepted it will be by vote and no additional information will be disclosed.

If my company's membership application is not approved can I appeal?

No, the decision by the board is final, although you may apply again at a later time.

Where do I fax signed copy of agreements?

+44 207 183 6100

Where do I post signed copies of agreements?

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Symbian Foundation Limited
1 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
United Kingdom

When my company is accepted as a member am I permitted to do a Press Release?

Yes. Please however note that any possible use of trademarks of Symbian Foundation therein must be in accordance with the Trademark Policy of Symbian Foundation.

Will Symbian Foundation provide quotes or do a joint Press Release for my company becoming a member of Symbian Foundation?

No. Symbian Foundation separately agree to provide such quote or joint release

What organizations are eligible for membership?

Organizations which fit the definition of a "corporate body" are eligible for membership. This includes companies, and most universities.

Membership is not available to individuals.

What happens if I make a mistake on my Membership Application Form. Can I resubmit?

Yes, but please note that for technical reasons the website limit s the number of attempts to 4 times. Please only sign and return the agreements containing the correct information.

How can I contact if I am am still having trouble?

Support for general membership problems and queries is provided in a support forum here (you will need to create an account to post your questions).

On the Membership Application Form I am asked for my company email domain, why?

Employees of member companies will be identified by email domain (@yourcompany.com) are covered by the signed agreements and will be able to access complete source code and other material that may not be avaialble to non members.

My company has multiple email domain, how is this handled?

Providing they are owned by your company (i.e. not public email sites such as gmail, yahoo, hotmail etc) you can add multiple email domains by separating with a comma.

I didn't receive the email with the agreement after I submitted my form?

Check your spam filter for an email from donotreply@symbian.org or you may have made a mistake in your email address.

How do I know if I need to pay United Kingdom's 15% Value Added Tax (VAT)

Please check with an appropriate financial advisor. The general rules are:

United Kingdom based members must pay 15% VAT
European Economic Community based members registered for VAT in their own country are NOT requried to pay VAT
European Economic Community based members NOT registered for VAT in their own country are not requried to pay VAT
Others, including non-EEC based members generally are not requried to pay UK VAT