Licensing
Open methodology. Protected trademark. Clear terms.
Open Use
The Black Hole Index™ methodology is open for research and editorial use. You are free to:
- Reference the BHI formula and methodology in academic papers, articles, and reports
- Calculate B scores for your own analysis using the published methodology
- Cite BHI scores from the Observatory in journalism and editorial content
- Teach the methodology in educational settings
- Build on the theoretical framework in your own research
Attribution required: "Black Hole Index™ (blackholeindex.com)" or "BHI™ methodology by Ivan Savich."
Commercial License Required
Commercial use of the following requires a Commercial License:
- Using "Black Hole Index" or "BHI" in product names, marketing materials, or commercial branding
- Representing scores as "Official BHI Scores" in client-facing materials
- Redistributing the scored database (100+ platforms) in commercial products
- Embedding BHI rankings data in paid reports, dashboards, or SaaS platforms
- Reselling or sublicensing BHI data feeds
- Using "BHI Assessed", "BHI Verified", or "BHI Certified" designations
- Issuing BHI scores as part of commercial consulting engagements
- Including BHI analysis in court filings, expert testimony, or regulatory submissions for commercial clients
License Tiers
- Use BHI methodology in personal consulting
- Reference official scores in client reports
- Attribution required
- Organization-wide use of BHI in commercial deliverables
- Access to official scored database with quarterly updates
- Co-branded reports permitted
- "BHI Licensed Partner" designation
- Use in litigation, regulatory filings, and expert testimony
- Custom BHI assessments for specific platforms
- Direct methodology support from the creator
- Priority access to new scores and methodology updates
Intellectual Property
Trademark. "Black Hole Index" and "BHI" are unregistered trademarks (™) of Ivan Savich, in continuous commercial use since March 2026. Common law trademark rights apply in all jurisdictions recognizing prior use.
Copyright. The benchmark database (100+ platform scores with parametric justifications), Extended Methodology Guide, scoring templates, and all original content on blackholeindex.com are protected by copyright. Evidence of creation: git history, SSRN publication, Internet Archive snapshots.
Database rights. The scored database represents substantial investment in collection, verification, and arrangement of data. Database rights apply under applicable law.
Open formula. The mathematical formula B = Capture / Escape is intentionally open. Mathematical formulas cannot be copyrighted or trademarked. This is by design — openness is what makes BHI a potential standard. The protection applies to the specific scored data, the trademark, and the certification program — not the formula itself.
Contact
For commercial licensing inquiries, BHI assessment requests, or partnership proposals:
Typical response time: 24–48 hours. For urgent regulatory or litigation matters, indicate timeline in subject line.
Common Questions
Yes. The methodology is open. You can score any platform using the published formula and parameters. No license needed for internal or research use.
Yes. Editorial and journalistic use is free with attribution: "Black Hole Index™ (blackholeindex.com)."
This requires a Commercial License. Contact licensing@blackholeindex.com.
Redistribution of the official scored database in commercial products requires a Firm or Enterprise license.
Expert use of BHI methodology in litigation requires an Enterprise license, which includes methodology support from the creator.
No. Mathematical formulas are not patentable. The formula is intentionally open. Protection applies to the trademark, the scored database, and the certification marks.