[OpenID] OpenID IPR Policy Draft

[Gabe Wachob]

Ben-
	I'm not sure what you are suggesting is the problem - is this just a
matter of timing? That is, could we remedy your issue by saying that you
have to issue the license before a certain event? This language is pretty
common - I'm not sure what else a policy could say? 

	Are you suggesting that there is some sort of implied license or
estoppel that comes into creation by virtue of the policy? I'm not aware of
any IPR policy in standards bodies that works that way - and I'm not sure
its really effective from a legal point of view. 

	As an alternative, when we say "issue a license", perhaps we should
be saying "a unilateral license or covenant of non-assertion (etc) that does
not require affirmative action on the part of the licensee" (needs to be
worded right - but does that capture your intent?) I'd note that the w3c and
oasis (rf on limited terms) policies do *not* require patent licensors to
issue these sort of super-low-friction licenses (though I've personally
pushed for it within OASIS). 

	-Gabe

> -----Original Message-----
> From: general-bounces at openid.net [mailto:general-bounces at openid.net] On
> Behalf Of Ben Laurie
> Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 8:31 AM
> To: Recordon, David
> Cc: specs at openid.net; general at openid.net
> Subject: Re: [OpenID] OpenID IPR Policy Draft
> 
> On 12/6/06, Recordon, David <drecordon at verisign.com> wrote:
> > Hey guys,
> > Been working with Gabe, and others, on starting to draft an IPR Policy
> > for OpenID specifications.  We'd appreciate feedback in terms of if what
> > is written captures the correct intent of the community?  We realize the
> > language isn't technically as tight as it needs to be, though first want
> > to make sure it is saying the right thing.  It is largely based on the
> > IPR Policy for Microformats.
> >
> > http://openid.net/wiki/index.php/IPR_Policy
> 
> A problem with saying "you MUST offer ... a royalty free license" is
> that in order to be open-source-friendly the licence has to be
> automatic - otherwise potentially each user of the s/w has to jump
> through hoops to get the licence.
> 
> >
> > Thanks,
> > --David
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> >
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