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DEX-COS Usage License and Terms of Use

Version 1.0 Practitioner Preview. Released for internal use. Not for public distribution without attribution.

These terms govern use of the DEX-COS (Common Operating System) standard document and the frameworks, models, and guidance it contains. By downloading or using the document you accept these terms.

1. Permitted use: internal enterprise license

This document is provided free of charge to practitioners and organizational leaders for internal, non-commercial use within their direct enterprise. Permitted uses include:

Reading, referencing, and applying the frameworks, models, and guidance to improve digital employee experience practices within the recipient’s own organization.
Adapting and implementing the maturity models, role architectures, competency frameworks, and certification tracks as internal programs, not for external distribution.
Sharing internally with colleagues, leadership, and cross-functional teams within the same legal entity.

2. Restrictions: uses requiring written approval

The following uses are expressly prohibited without prior specific written authorization from The DEX Authority:

Consulting or advisory services: Delivering guidance based on this material to third-party clients.
Managed services: Operating DEX programs on behalf of external organizations using this material.
Training, workshops, or certification programs: Whether paid or included in a bundled offering.
Educational programs, curricula, or academic instruction incorporating this material.
Any bundled product or service in which this content is a material component of the value delivered.
Redistribution of this document, in whole or in part, to parties outside the recipient’s direct enterprise.
Public posting, uploading, or hosting of this document without attribution and prior written approval.

3. Attribution

Any public reference to, quotation from, or citation of material contained in this document must include proper attribution in one of the following forms:

“Adapted from the DEX-COS (DEX Common Operating System), The DEX Authority (dexauthority.com).”

Or, for direct quotations: “[Quoted text]” — DEX-COS, The DEX Authority.

Proper attribution does not constitute permission to use the material for commercial purposes. Attribution is required even where content has been adapted or paraphrased.

4. No sublicensing or transfer

This license is granted to the individual or organization that obtained this document directly from The DEX Authority or through an authorized channel. It may not be transferred, assigned, or sublicensed to any third party. Each enterprise wishing to use this material must obtain its own copy under these terms.

5. No derivative works for external distribution

You may adapt the frameworks, models, and guidance within this document for internal implementation purposes. You may not publish, distribute, or otherwise make available to third parties any derivative work based substantially on this content without specific written permission from The DEX Authority. Internal adaptations (such as building an internal certification program using the track structures described herein) are permitted under Section 1.

6. Prohibition on AI and machine learning training

This document and its contents may not be used, in whole or in part, as training data, fine-tuning data, or evaluation data for any artificial intelligence, machine learning, or large language model system, whether commercial or non-commercial, without specific written authorization from The DEX Authority.

7. No warranties

This document is provided “as is.” The DEX Authority makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, currency, or fitness for a particular purpose of the content herein. Frameworks, models, and recommendations are advisory in nature. Implementation outcomes will vary based on organizational context, resources, and execution.

8. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, The DEX Authority and its principals, affiliates, contributors, and advisors shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from the use of, or inability to use, this document or the frameworks described herein, including but not limited to loss of revenue, loss of data, or business interruption.

9. No endorsement or certification

Use of the DEX-COS framework, models, or guidance does not constitute endorsement, certification, or affiliation with The DEX Authority unless expressly stated in a separate written agreement. Organizations implementing these frameworks internally may not represent themselves as “certified by The DEX Authority” or make equivalent claims without formal certification under a program offered by The DEX Authority.

10. Commercial licensing

Commercial licensing terms (covering consulting, training, managed services, educational programs, and bundled service use) are being developed by The DEX Authority and will be made available based on market demand. Organizations or practitioners wishing to use this material commercially should contact The DEX Authority directly to discuss licensing arrangements.

Commercial licensing inquiries: The DEX Authority | www.thedexauthority.com | info@thedexauthority.com

11. Reservation of rights

All rights not expressly granted in this notice are reserved by The DEX Authority. The frameworks, models, terminology, and structural architectures described in this document are proprietary to The DEX Authority. Nothing in this notice shall be construed to grant any license or right by implication, estoppel, or otherwise beyond the internal enterprise use described in Section 1.

12. Governing law

This license and any disputes arising from the use of this document shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any legal action or proceeding relating to this license shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Pennsylvania, and the parties consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

13. Severability

If any provision of this notice is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under applicable law, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or if modification is not possible, severed from this notice. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalidity or unenforceability of any single provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.