[OpenID] OpenID license

[John Bradley]

[Snip]

> 
> Okay, think I'm following..
> 
> 1: has every contributor to the OpenID specification(s) agreed to the IPR agreement and made the conditioned patent promise? (2a or 2b in the agreement)
> - if the answer isn't 100% yes where does that leave me?
> 
Yes they all have signed.

> 2: why aren't the patents from contributors with Necessary Claims disclosed?
> 
They have all agreed not to not assert, so are not required to disclose.

Doing a patent search in a large company like IBM for all possible relevant patents is complex and the lawyers go nuts.   It is easier to get a blanket non assert.

> 3: Is the promise a legally binding assertion that no Necessary Claims of these non disclosed patents from contributors can/will be made against me (by contributors), or is it just a promise which equates to me saying "I promise I won't sue you for replying to this email"

Yes this a binding agreement by the individuals and there companies.
> 
> clarify, I fully realise that a patent troll could be sitting with patents covering any specification, but looking to find whether it's possible for any of the contributors to be one of those patent trolls.
> 
The purpose of the IPR agreement is to prevent that.

They also agree to contribute licences for any copyrights required to the foundation and any implementers. Including the right to produce derivative works.

The goal of any licence we may put on the specs is not to stop derivative works just to prevent confusion over the status of the approved standard.

John B.

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