why can't IETF emulate IEEE on this point?

in <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/21/802_11n_patent_threat/>, we see:

                Letters of Assurance are requested from all parties
                holding patents which may be applicable to any IEEE
                standard. Basically they state that the patent owner
                won't sue anyone for implementing the standard.  ...

i was thinking, what a great policy.  why doesn't IETF have one like it?


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