Dr. Kahn,
I am sure that if we so desire, we can keep laywers entertained for several
years sorting out the ownership of reserves, data and systems created using
funds from IETF meeting fees. But we should not allow this potential for
trouble prevent us from making a clear picture of what we want to achieve
going forward.
Our experience with Foretec, where (for instance) our request for a
database dump of the I-D tracker has been stonewalled for more than a year,
was indeed a reason for trying to establish the principle of data access
firmly going forward.
My reluctance to mention the word "ownership" in our principles is, among
other things, based on a desire to be able to negotiate mutually acceptable
solutions to problems like the one you mention - a desire I am sure you
share.
The IETF's ability to use the data it needs to function, now and going
forward, is a principle that I am not willing to compromise on.
What the formalities are that allow this to happen is something I think you
and I should allow people with more experience in legal and financial
matters to sort out, without placing more restrictions on them than are
absolutely necessary.
Harald
--On mandag, desember 06, 2004 21:41:00 -0500 Bob Kahn
<rkahn(_at_)cnri(_dot_)reston(_dot_)va(_dot_)us> wrote:
Harald,
I am enroute back to Washington at the moment, but did want to comment on
IP matters.
I think it fair to state in the document what the IETF thinks appropriate
for it to manage its own affairs going forward, but one of the matters we
will have to work out is the fact that there is considerable IP generated
over the past almost twenty years. At present, CNRI owns most of this IP,
but the US Government may have certain continuing rights in the data as
well.
As you know, I have committed publicly to working with the IETF on the
administrative restructuring issues. Over the coming year, I hope we can
work out how best to handle matters such these, but at best the document
ought to recognize this fact of life and that it will be necessary to
address these matters in due course going forward.
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