Stephan Wenger <stewe(_at_)stewe(_dot_)org> writes:
Hi John,
please note that the vast majority of IETF IPR disclosures promise patent
licenses only on technologies described in an I-D in the event that the I-D
becomes an IETF "standard". This avoids the problems you mentioned nicely,
I think, at the expense of some uncertainty when people implement I-Ds that
do not become standards, and some uncertainly during the prototyping/early
deployment phase---which, so far, most if us can comfortably live with.
In short: The licensing promise kicks in only once an I-D becomes an "IETF
standard" (interpreted by most of us as an RFC is published). In any other
stage there is no licensing promise. Some statements are more carefully
worded about the subtleties of "standard" then others... but most seem to
have the same intention.
The problem is that there is no time limit on when the I-D can become an
IETF standard. Someone can pick up a 5 year old I-D and do the work
involved in getting it standardized; I believe our process allows for
that. If patent disclosures are removed during that time, IETF
participants are denied the possibility to learn about patent
disclosures for the technology. I don't believe that is consistent with
the IETF policy.
/Simon
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