(1)(e) Specification of the IPR Mode under which the TC will operate.

In addition to the good discussion we're
having on the general domain of interoperability and documents, I propose
that we take a question or two a day from the list of required and optional
OASIS TC Charter definition points, and try to discuss and reach a consensus
on those.

For today, let's take point (1)(e),
the IPR Mode of the TC.   The OASIS IPR Policy is defined here: http://www.oasis-open.org/who/intellectualproperty.php

There are three possible IP modes a
new TC may operate under, and we are required to choose one of these three
for the charter of the proposed ODF IIC TC:

1) RAND

2) RF on RAND terms

3) RF on Limited terms

The most common (and most friendly to
implementors, IMHO) mode at OASIS is "RF on Limited terms", and
that is the mode under which the OASIS ODF TC operates.  I'd urge
the proposed ODF IIC TC to adopt this same IPR mode.

You can read the legalese associated
with this IPR Mode, and the obligations it puts on TC members and the benefits
it gives to implementors in sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the policy document
linked to above.

Regards,

-Rob

 ___________________________

Rob Weir

Software Architect

Workplace, Portal and Collaboration Software

IBM Software Group

email: 

phone: 1-978-399-7122

blog: http://www.robweir.com/blog/