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+# OpenTelemetry Contributor Guide
+
+Welcome to OpenTelemetry! This document provides general guidance for contributing to 
+this codebase. This is a multi-lingual codebase, so sub-directories like `collector` may
+provide additional guidance in a CONTRIBUTING.md.
+contribute to the code base. Feel free to browse the [open
+issues](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-lambda/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen)
+and file new ones, all feedback welcome!
+
+## Before you get started
+
+### Code of Conduct
+
+Please make sure to read and observe our [Code of
+Conduct](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community/blob/master/code-of-conduct.md).
+
+### Sign the CLA
+
+Before you can contribute, you will need to sign the [Contributor License
+Agreement](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/easycla/contributors).
+
+### Code attribution
+
+[License information](README.md#License) should be included in all source files where applicable.
+Either full or short version of the header should be used as described at [apache.org](http://www.apache.org/foundation/license-faq.html#Apply-My-Software).
+It is OK to exclude the year from the copyright notice. For the details on how to apply the copyright,
+see the next section.
+
+### Copyright Notices
+
+OpenTelemetry follows [CNCF recommendations](https://github.com/cncf/foundation/blob/master/copyright-notices.md)
+for copyright notices. We use "Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors" notice form.
+
+According to CNCF recommendations if you are contributing third-party code
+you will need to [retain the original copyright notice](https://github.com/cncf/foundation/blob/master/copyright-notices.md#dont-change-someone-elses-notice-without-their-permission).
+
+Any contributed third-party code must originally be Apache 2.0-Licensed or must
+carry a permisive software license that is compatible when combining with
+Apache 2.0 License. At this moment, BSD and MIT are the only
+[OSI-approved licenses](https://opensource.org/licenses/alphabetical) known to be compatible.
+
+If you make substantial changes to the third-party code, _prepend_ the contributed
+third party file with OpenTelemetry's copyright notice.
+
+If the contributed code is not third-party code and you are the author we
+strongly encourage to avoid including your name in the notice and use the
+generic "Copyright The OpenTelemetry Authors" notice. See rationale for this
+recommendation [here](https://github.com/cncf/foundation/blob/master/copyright-notices.md#why-not-list-every-copyright-holder).
+
+## Community Expectations and Roles
+
+OpenTelemetry is a community project. Consequently, it is wholly dependent on
+its community to provide a productive, friendly, and collaborative environment.
+
+- See [Community
+  Membership](https://github.com/open-telemetry/community/blob/master/community-membership.md)
+  for a list the various responsibilities of contributor roles. You are
+  encouraged to move up this contributor ladder as you gain experience.