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Re: An Antitrust Policy for the IETF

2011-11-28 14:36:23
Ted, I like your approach of enquiring what problem we are striving to solve 
and I like Russ's concise answer that it is "Recent suits against other SDOs 
that  is the source of the concern"  

Russ, what are  some of the  "Recent suits against other SDOs"  It would be 
good to pin down the problem we are addressing

There is  FTC and N-data matter from 2008 
http://www.gtwassociates.com/alerts/Ndata1.htm

But the solutions in discussion in various SDOs to the issues raised in that 
matter have to do with  revisions to IP policies  more than with  antitrust 
policy. 

Best Regards,

George T. Willingmyre, P.E.
President, GTW Associates
1012 Parrs Ridge Drive
Spencerville, MD 20868 USA
1.301.421.4138
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: IETF Chair 
  To: Ted Hardie 
  Cc: IETF ; IESG 
  Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 2:10 PM
  Subject: Re: An Antitrust Policy for the IETF


  Ted:


      The IETF legal counsel and insurance agent suggest that the IETF ought to 
have an antitrust policy.  To address this need, a lawyer is needed.  As a way 
forward, I suggest that IASA pay a lawyer to come up with an initial draft, and 
then this draft be brought to the community for review and comment (and 
probably revision).  I think a new mail list should be used for the discussion. 
 Once the new mail list reaches rough consensus on the antitrust policy 
document, I suggest using the usual process for adopting the policy as an IETF 
BCP.

      What do others think?  I am open to suggestions for an alternative 
approach.



    Sorry, can you expand on the threat model here?  Are we developing one in 
order to defend against some specific worry about our not having one?  Because 
it has become best practice in other SDOs?  Because the insurance agent wishes 
to see something in particular?

    I hesitate to develop something that we have not needed in the past unless 
it is clear what benefit it gives us.  In particular, if we develop one without 
some particular characteristic, do we lose the benefits of being where we are 
now?



  Recent suits against other SDOs is the source of the concern.  The idea is t 
make it clear which topics are off limits at IETF meetings and on IETF mail 
lists.  In this way, if such discussions take place, the good name of the IETF 
can be kept clean.


  Russ


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