Facebook fbFund re-boots; tightens up terms and conditions

Facebook has sent out an email to those that have already applied to the fbFund, the company's grant for budding Facebook developers. Originally asked to submit applications by email, the social networking site is now asking interested developers to re-submit their proposals via a dedicated online application form. The reason, aside from the challenge of sifting through unstructured email submissions, is to make the fbFund terms and conditions much clearer and, presumably, legally binding. Furthermore, Facebook says it has deleted all of the email applications fbFund has received to-date.

It has become clear that we will receive proposals which contain similar or even identical ideas. As a result, and in order to protect other developers and us from claims that we or anyone else copied material without the creator's permission, unless we agree otherwise in writing, we can't promise that any materials or information you submit here will be kept confidential, or specifically that we or others might not develop similar or identical products or services.

To make sure that everyone understands the conditions of submitting a grant application, we will not review any materials you have sent via email, and any materials you may have sent have been deleted. If you would like to submit an application for an fbFund grant or require more information, please see our website and grant application submission form at http://www.facebook.com/developers/fbfund.php

As Marshall Kirkpatrick notes over at Read/WriteWeb, in lots of areas we're seeing Facebook make it up as they go along, which is apt for any startup breaking new ground. However, with regards to the fbFund, it was always going to put itself into a precarious position, accepting open applications in an unsolicited fashion will inevitably lead to some disgruntled applicants, as the number of duplicate ideas and features is likely to be significant. We also don't know what plans Facebook already has for new applications and functionality. What are the chances that a developer submits the same idea when applying to the fbFund? Very high is the answer.

Every Facebook app. developer already lives in fear that Facebook itself will roll out a competing app, and those applying to fbFund have even more reason to be paranoid.