diff --git a/schemas/actors/affiliation.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/actors/affiliation.schema.tpl.json
index ffb00ddc..d9110674 100644
--- a/schemas/actors/affiliation.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/actors/affiliation.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,29 +1,24 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:Affiliation",
   "required": [
-    "memberOf"
+    "person",
+    "organization"
   ],
   "properties": {
-    "endDate": {
-      "type": "string",
-      "_formats": [
-        "date"
-      ],
-      "_instruction": "Enter the end date of this affiliation, formatted as 'YYYY-MM-DD'. Leave blank if this affiliation is still current."
+    "person": {
+      "_instruction": "Add the individual to whom this affiliation belongs.",
+      "_linkedTypes": [
+        "core:Person"
+      ]
     },
-    "memberOf": {
-      "_instruction": "Add the organization or consortium another party was or still is a member of.",
-      "_linkedTypes": [        
-        "core:Consortium",
+    "organization": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "uniqueItems": true,
+      "_instruction": "Add all organizations (in display order) with which the specified individual is affiliated.",
+      "_linkedTypes": [
         "core:Organization"
       ]
-    },    
-    "startDate": {
-      "type": "string",
-      "_formats": [
-        "date"
-      ],
-      "_instruction": "Enter the start date of this affiliation, formatted as 'YYYY-MM-DD'."
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/schemas/actors/consortium.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/actors/consortium.schema.tpl.json
index fb465480..2512e121 100644
--- a/schemas/actors/consortium.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/actors/consortium.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:Consortium",
   "_categories": [
-    "legalPerson"
+    "actor"
   ],
   "required": [
     "fullName"
diff --git a/schemas/actors/contactInformation.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/actors/contactInformation.schema.tpl.json
index d569468c..050767d7 100644
--- a/schemas/actors/contactInformation.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/actors/contactInformation.schema.tpl.json
@@ -5,11 +5,16 @@
   ],
   "properties": {
     "email": {
-      "type": "string",
-      "_formats": [
-        "email"
-      ],
-      "_instruction": "Enter the email address of the party (e.g., of the person)."
+      "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "_formats": [
+          "email"
+        ]
+      },
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "uniqueItems": true,
+      "_instruction": "Enter all relevant contact email addresses."
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/schemas/actors/contribution.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/actors/contribution.schema.tpl.json
index 90722fde..a0d1cdc6 100644
--- a/schemas/actors/contribution.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/actors/contribution.schema.tpl.json
@@ -6,16 +6,16 @@
   ],
    "properties": {
      "contributor": {
-       "_instruction": "Add all types of contribution made by the stated 'contributor'.",
-       "_linkedCategories": [
-         "legalPerson"
-       ]
-     },     
-     "type": {
        "type": "array",
        "minItems": 1,
        "uniqueItems": true,
-       "_instruction": "Add the party that performed the contribution.",
+       "_instruction": "Add all contributors who performed this contribution.",
+       "_linkedCategories": [
+         "actor"
+       ]
+     },
+     "type": {
+       "_instruction": "Add the type of contribution.",
        "_linkedTypes": [
          "controlledTerms:ContributionType"
        ]
diff --git a/schemas/actors/organization.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/actors/organization.schema.tpl.json
index 583d5bbd..c5289eba 100644
--- a/schemas/actors/organization.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/actors/organization.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,19 +1,32 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:Organization",
   "_categories": [
+    "actor",
     "legalPerson"
   ],
   "required": [
-    "fullName"
+    "countryOfFormation",
+    "name",
+    "type"
   ],
   "properties": {
-    "affiliation": {
+    "acronym": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "_instruction": "Enter the acronym of this organization."
+    },
+    "alternateName": {
       "type": "array",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
       "minItems": 1,
       "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Enter all current and, if necessary, past affiliations of this organization.",
-      "_embeddedTypes": [
-        "core:Affiliation"
+      "_instruction": "Enter any other known name or acronym of this organization."
+    },
+    "countryOfFormation": {
+      "_instruction": "Add the country where the organization was formed.",
+      "_linkedTypes": [
+        "controlledTerms:SovereignState"
       ]
     },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
@@ -21,15 +34,15 @@
       "minItems": 1,
       "uniqueItems": true,
       "_instruction": "Add all globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this organization.",
-      "_linkedTypes": [
-        "core:GRIDID",
-        "core:RORID",
-        "core:RRID"
+      "_linkedCategories": [
+        "organizationIdentifier"
       ]
     },
-    "fullName": {
-      "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter the full name of this organization."
+    "location": {
+      "_instruction": "Add the headquarters location of this organization.",
+      "_embeddedTypes": [
+        "core:Location"
+      ]
     },
     "hasParent": {
       "type": "array",
@@ -47,9 +60,21 @@
       ],
       "_instruction": "Enter the internationalized resource identifier (IRI) to the homepage of this organization."
     },
-    "shortName": {
+    "jurisdiction": {
+      "_instruction": "Add the jurisdiction under which the organization operates.",
+      "_linkedCategories": [
+        "jurisdiction"
+      ]
+    },
+    "name": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a short name (or alias) for this organization that could be used as a shortened display title (e.g., for web services with too little space to display the full name)."
+      "_instruction": "Enter the organization’s preferred name for use in international contexts."
+    },
+    "type": {
+      "_instruction": "Add the type of this organization (e.g., company, non-profit organization, government).",
+      "_embeddedTypes": [
+        "controlledTerms:OrganizationType"
+      ]
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/schemas/actors/person.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/actors/person.schema.tpl.json
index bd503e0a..cab6a137 100644
--- a/schemas/actors/person.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/actors/person.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,22 +1,14 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:Person",
   "_categories": [
+    "actor",
     "agent",
     "legalPerson"
   ],
   "required": [
-    "givenName"
+    "preferredName"
   ],
-  "properties": {    
-    "affiliation": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Enter all current and, if desired, past affiliations of this person.",
-      "_embeddedTypes": [
-        "core:Affiliation"
-      ]
-    },
+  "properties": {
     "alternateName": {
       "type": "array",
       "items": {
@@ -52,11 +44,15 @@
     },
     "familyName": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter the family name of this person."
+      "_instruction": "Enter the family name, surname, or equivalent of this person."
     },
     "givenName": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter the given name of this person."
+      "_instruction": "Enter the given name(s) of this person, or a name chosen in place of the given name. At least one of the names should be spelled out in full; initials may be used for the others."
+    },
+    "preferredName": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "_instruction": "Enter the person’s preferred way to write their name in a professional context. It is recommended to place given before family name separated by space."
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/schemas/data/serviceLink.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/data/serviceLink.schema.tpl.json
index fd9affa0..170935bb 100644
--- a/schemas/data/serviceLink.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/data/serviceLink.schema.tpl.json
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
         "core:FileBundle",
         "core:ModelVersion",        
         "publications:LivePaperResourceItem",
-        "https://openminds.ebrains.eu/sands/ParcellationEntityVersion"
+        "sands:ParcellationEntityVersion"
       ]
     },
     "displayLabel": {
diff --git a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/GRIDID.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/GRIDID.schema.tpl.json
index 9e6f85a5..bf4a40ff 100644
--- a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/GRIDID.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/GRIDID.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:GRIDID",
+  "_category": [
+    "organizationIdentifier"
+  ],
   "required": [
     "identifier"
   ],
diff --git a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/ISNI.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/ISNI.schema.tpl.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..31ee028b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/ISNI.schema.tpl.json
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{
+  "_type": "core:ISNI",
+  "_category": [
+    "organizationIdentifier"
+  ],
+  "required": [
+    "identifier"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "identifier": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "pattern": "^https?://(www.)?isni.org/(isni/)?\\d{15}[\\dX]$)",
+      "_instruction": "Enter the identifier for legal entities provided by the International Standard Name Identifier Assignment Agency ('International Standard Name Identifier'; ISNI) as an internationalized resource identifier (IRI) following the defined pattern (i.e., 'https://isni.org/' + ISNI)."
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/LEI.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/LEI.schema.tpl.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3c35485a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/LEI.schema.tpl.json
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{
+  "_type": "core:LEI",
+  "_category": [
+    "organizationIdentifier"
+  ],
+  "required": [
+    "identifier"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "identifier": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "pattern": "^https://lei.global/LEI/[A-Z0-9]{18}\\d{2}$",
+      "_instruction": "Enter the identifier for legal entities provided by a local operating unit delegated by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation ('Legal Entity Identifier'; LEI) as an internationalized resource identifier (IRI) following the defined pattern (i.e., 'https://lei.global/LEI/' + LEI)."
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RORID.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RORID.schema.tpl.json
index 694a396f..ecbcadfd 100644
--- a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RORID.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RORID.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:RORID",
+  "_category": [
+    "organizationIdentifier"
+  ],
   "required": [
     "identifier"
   ],
diff --git a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RRID.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RRID.schema.tpl.json
index 42380cb6..1a645eb1 100644
--- a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RRID.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/RRID.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:RRID",
+  "_category": [
+    "organizationIdentifier"
+  ],
   "required": [
     "identifier"
   ],
diff --git a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/genericIdentifier.tpl.json b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/genericIdentifier.tpl.json
index 768b3a50..02b34493 100644
--- a/schemas/digitalIdentifier/genericIdentifier.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/digitalIdentifier/genericIdentifier.tpl.json
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@
   "properties": {
     "emitter": {
       "_instruction": "Add the organization that governs and/or emits the identifier.",
-      "_linkedTypes": ["core:Organization"]
+      "_linkedTypes": [
+        "core:Organization"
+      ]
     },
     "identifier": {
       "type": "string",
diff --git a/schemas/products/dataset.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/dataset.schema.tpl.json
index c8e14074..fd8555d1 100644
--- a/schemas/products/dataset.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/dataset.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,19 +1,7 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:Dataset",
   "_extends": "products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json",
-  "required": [
-    "author"
-  ],
   "properties": {
-    "author": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that contributed to this dataset as authors.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
       "_instruction": "Add the globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this research product. Note that this digital identifier will be used to reference all attached research product versions.",
       "_linkedTypes": [
diff --git a/schemas/products/datasetVersion.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/datasetVersion.schema.tpl.json
index b2054b97..f14849cf 100644
--- a/schemas/products/datasetVersion.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/datasetVersion.schema.tpl.json
@@ -10,15 +10,6 @@
     "technique"
   ],
   "properties": {
-    "author": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that contributed to this dataset version as authors. Note that these authors will overwrite the author list provided for the overarching dataset.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "behavioralProtocol": {
       "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,
@@ -69,10 +60,10 @@
         "core:File",
         "core:FileBundle",
         "core:WebResource",
-        "https://openminds.ebrains.eu/sands/BrainAtlas",
-        "https://openminds.ebrains.eu/sands/BrainAtlasVersion",
-        "https://openminds.ebrains.eu/sands/CommonCoordinateSpace",
-        "https://openminds.ebrains.eu/sands/CommonCoordinateSpaceVersion"
+        "sands:BrainAtlas",
+        "sands:BrainAtlasVersion",
+        "sands:CommonCoordinateSpace",
+        "sands:CommonCoordinateSpaceVersion"
       ]
     },
     "isPrecededBy": {
diff --git a/schemas/products/metaDataModel.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/metaDataModel.schema.tpl.json
index 8c7b8edc..f00486a6 100644
--- a/schemas/products/metaDataModel.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/metaDataModel.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,19 +1,7 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:MetaDataModel",
   "_extends": "products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json",
-  "required": [
-    "developer"
-  ],
   "properties": {
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this (meta)data model.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
       "_instruction": "Add the globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this research product. Note that this digital identifier will be used to reference all attached research product versions.",
       "_linkedTypes": [
diff --git a/schemas/products/metaDataModelVersion.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/metaDataModelVersion.schema.tpl.json
index 902654ef..05043b96 100644
--- a/schemas/products/metaDataModelVersion.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/metaDataModelVersion.schema.tpl.json
@@ -6,15 +6,6 @@
     "type"
   ],
   "properties": {
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this (meta)data model version. Note that these developers will overwrite the developer list provided for the overarching (meta)data model.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
       "_instruction": "Add the globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this research product version.",
       "_linkedTypes": [
diff --git a/schemas/products/model.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/model.schema.tpl.json
index 892b3c80..79ec9812 100644
--- a/schemas/products/model.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/model.schema.tpl.json
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
   "_extends": "products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json",
   "required": [
     "abstractionLevel",
-    "developer",
     "scope",
     "studyTarget"
   ],
@@ -14,15 +13,6 @@
         "controlledTerms:ModelAbstractionLevel"
       ]
     },
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this computational model.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
       "_instruction": "Add the globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this research product. Note that this digital identifier will be used to reference all attached research product versions.",
       "_linkedTypes": [
diff --git a/schemas/products/modelVersion.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/modelVersion.schema.tpl.json
index c4390595..75b2d520 100644
--- a/schemas/products/modelVersion.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/modelVersion.schema.tpl.json
@@ -15,15 +15,6 @@
         "core:WebResource"
       ]
     },
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this computational model version. Note that these developers will overwrite the developer list provided for the overarching computational model.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
       "_instruction": "Add the globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this research product version.",
       "_linkedTypes": [
diff --git a/schemas/products/project.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/project.schema.tpl.json
index 2ad1318f..efcadbdf 100644
--- a/schemas/products/project.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/project.schema.tpl.json
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@
     "hasPart",
     "shortName"
   ],
-  "properties": {    
+  "properties": {
     "coordinator": {
       "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,
       "uniqueItems": true,
       "_instruction": "Add all parties that coordinate this project.",
       "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
+        "actor"
       ]
     },
     "description": {
diff --git a/schemas/products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json
index c8149844..6624ae27 100644
--- a/schemas/products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json
@@ -3,34 +3,44 @@
     "researchProduct"
   ],
   "required": [
-    "description",    
+    "contribution",
+    "description",
     "fullName",
     "shortName"
   ],
   "properties": {
-    "custodian": {
-      "type": "array",      
+    "contribution": {
+      "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,
       "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that fulfill the role of a custodian for this research product (e.g., a research group leader or principle investigator). Custodians are typically the main contact in case of misconduct, obtain permission from the contributors to publish personal information, and maintain the content and quality of the data, metadata, and/or code of the research product. Unless specified differently, this custodian will be responsible for all attached research product versions.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
+      "_instruction": "Add all individual, organisational, or consortial contributions to this research product. Inherited by all product versions unless overridden at the version level.",
+      "_embeddedTypes": [
+        "core:Contribution"
+      ]
+    },
+    "contributorAffiliation": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "uniqueItems": true,
+      "_instruction": "Add all affiliations for the individual contributors to this research product. Inherited by all product versions unless overridden at the version level.",
+      "_embeddedTypes": [
+        "core:Affiliation"
       ]
     },
     "description": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a description (or abstract) of this research product. Note that this should be a suitable description for all attached research product versions."
+      "_instruction": "Enter a description (or abstract) of this research product. Inherited by all product versions unless overridden at the version level."
     },
     "fullName": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a descriptive full name (or title) for this research product. Note that this should be a suitable full name for all attached research product versions."
+      "_instruction": "Enter a descriptive full name (or title) for this research product. Inherited by all product versions unless overridden at the version level."
     },
     "homepage": {      
       "type": "string",
       "_formats": [
         "iri"
       ],
-      "_instruction": "Enter the internationalized resource identifier (IRI) to the homepage of this research product."
+      "_instruction": "Enter the internationalized resource identifier (IRI) to the homepage of this research product. Inherited by all product versions unless overridden at the version level."
     },
     "howToCite": {
       "type": "string",
@@ -38,7 +48,7 @@
     },
     "shortName": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a short name (or alias) for this research product that could be used as a shortened display title (e.g., for web services with too little space to display the full name)."
+      "_instruction": "Enter a short name (or alias) for this research product that could be used as a shortened display title (e.g., for web services with too little space to display the full name). Inherited by all product versions unless overridden at the version level."
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/schemas/products/researchProductVersion.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/researchProductVersion.schema.tpl.json
index 0480fdf3..41d7785b 100644
--- a/schemas/products/researchProductVersion.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/researchProductVersion.schema.tpl.json
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
   ],
   "required": [
     "accessibility",
+    "contribution",
     "fullDocumentation",
     "isVersionOf",
     "releaseDate",
@@ -24,18 +25,27 @@
         "core:Copyright"
       ]
     },
-    "custodian": {
-      "type": "array",      
+    "contribution": {
+      "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,
       "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that fulfill the role of a custodian for the research product version (e.g., a research group leader or principle investigator). Custodians are typically the main contact in case of misconduct, obtain permission from the contributors to publish personal information, and maintain the content and quality of the data, metadata, and/or code of the research product version.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
+      "_instruction": "Add all individual, organisational, or consortial contributions to this research product version. If provided, these values override the inherited values from the version-independent product.",
+      "_embeddedTypes": [
+        "core:Contribution"
+      ]
+    },
+    "contributorAffiliation": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "uniqueItems": true,
+      "_instruction": "Add all affiliations for the individual contributors to this research product version. If provided, these values override the inherited values from the version-independent product.",
+      "_embeddedTypes": [
+        "core:Affiliation"
       ]
     },
     "description": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a description (or abstract) of this research product version. Note that this version specific description will overwrite the description for the overarching dataset."
+      "_instruction": "Enter a description (or abstract) of this research product version. If provided, this value overrides the inherited value from the version-independent product."
     },
     "fullDocumentation": {
       "_instruction": "Add the publication or file that acts as the full documentation of this research product version.",
@@ -48,7 +58,7 @@
     },
     "fullName": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a descriptive full name (or title) for this research product version. Note that this version specific full name will overwrite the full name for the overarching dataset."
+      "_instruction": "Enter a descriptive full name (or title) for this research product version. If provided, this value overrides the inherited value from the version-independent product."
     },
     "funding": {
       "type": "array",
@@ -64,7 +74,7 @@
       "_formats": [
         "iri"
       ],
-      "_instruction": "Enter the internationalized resource identifier (IRI) to the homepage of this research product version."
+      "_instruction": "Enter the internationalized resource identifier (IRI) to the homepage of this research product version. If provided, this value overrides the inherited value from the version-independent product."
     },
     "howToCite": {
       "type": "string",
@@ -79,15 +89,6 @@
         "keyword"
       ]
     },
-    "otherContribution": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add any other contributions to this research product version that are not covered under 'author'/'developer' or 'custodian'.",
-      "_embeddedTypes": [
-        "core:Contribution"
-      ]
-    },
     "relatedPublication": {
       "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@
     },
     "shortName": {
       "type": "string",
-      "_instruction": "Enter a short name (or alias) for this research product version that could be used as a shortened display title (e.g., for web services with too little space to display the full name)."
+      "_instruction": "Enter a short name (or alias) for this research product version that could be used as a shortened display title (e.g., for web services with too little space to display the full name). If provided, this value overrides the inherited value from the version-independent product."
     },
     "supportChannel": {
       "type": "array",
diff --git a/schemas/products/software.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/software.schema.tpl.json
index 2f2e927d..6114519d 100644
--- a/schemas/products/software.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/software.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,19 +1,7 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:Software",
   "_extends": "products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json",
-  "required": [
-    "developer"
-  ],
   "properties": {
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this software.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "digitalIdentifier": {
       "_instruction": "Add the globally unique and persistent digital identifier of this research product. Note that this digital identifier will be used to reference all attached research product versions.",
       "_linkedTypes": [
diff --git a/schemas/products/softwareVersion.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/softwareVersion.schema.tpl.json
index e450d570..66a5fa5b 100644
--- a/schemas/products/softwareVersion.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/softwareVersion.schema.tpl.json
@@ -23,15 +23,6 @@
         "controlledTerms:SoftwareApplicationCategory"
       ]
     },
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this software version. Note that these developers will overwrite the developer list provided for the overarching software.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "device": {
       "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,
diff --git a/schemas/products/webService.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/webService.schema.tpl.json
index 07c6e782..738524e1 100644
--- a/schemas/products/webService.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/webService.schema.tpl.json
@@ -1,18 +1,4 @@
 {
   "_type": "core:WebService",
-  "_extends": "products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json",
-  "required": [
-    "developer"
-  ],
-  "properties": {
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this web service.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    }
-  }
+  "_extends": "products/researchProduct.schema.tpl.json"
 }
diff --git a/schemas/products/webServiceVersion.schema.tpl.json b/schemas/products/webServiceVersion.schema.tpl.json
index cd99277c..180c7132 100644
--- a/schemas/products/webServiceVersion.schema.tpl.json
+++ b/schemas/products/webServiceVersion.schema.tpl.json
@@ -2,15 +2,6 @@
   "_type": "core:WebServiceVersion",
   "_extends": "products/researchProductVersion.schema.tpl.json",
   "properties": {
-    "developer": {
-      "type": "array",
-      "minItems": 1,
-      "uniqueItems": true,
-      "_instruction": "Add all parties that developed this web service version. Note that these developers will overwrite the developer list provided for the overarching web service.",
-      "_linkedCategories": [
-        "legalPerson"
-      ]
-    },
     "hasPart": {
       "type": "array",
       "minItems": 1,