Clarifications

In order to address misconceptions that have arisen during the formal review 
process for the XRI specifications, I'd like to 
make some clarifications based on our (Visa) understanding of 
the XRI TC and its work:

 

(1) XRI is *not* i-names. 

 

(2) Persistence of identifiers is 
*not* provided by the XRI specification and is *not* the core feature of XRI. 

 

(3) The "Introduction to XRIs" 
document has *not* been edited by all members of the TC and does not yet 
properly reflect the wide range of use cases. 

 

(4) The XRI specifications do not 
imply nor require implementation in the context of a single, global 
root.

 

(5) The TC and all 
its participants agreed to produce the XRI specifications on a RAND and Royalty 
Free basis. 

 

    
-Gabe

 

--------------------------

 Further notes:

 

(1) I-names are an *application* of XRI, as is XDI. A vote for XRI is not a 
vote for i-names or XDI. A vote for XRI is *only* a vote for the XRI specification.

 

(2) While many XRI TC participants 
are working on technical/organizational infrastructure and rules for providing 
persistence of identifiers, such work is *not* within the scope of the XRI TC or 
the XRI specification vote. Furthermore, there is *nothing* in the XRI TC 
specifications that requires adherence to these outside efforts. A vote for the XRI 
specification is *not* a vote of approval 
for these efforts.

 

(3) While I personally 
regret the "Introduction to XRIs" 
document not having been prepared sufficiently for the vote, it is 
important to note that a vote for the 
XRI specifications does *not* imply approval of 
this introductory document. Furthermore, this introductory 
document should not be 
considered a limit to the way in which XRIs may be used.

 

(4) Although the specifications 
reference Global Community Symbols that may facilitate the organization of a 
common community root for XRI implementations, the specifications in no way 
prevent multiple, competing root implementations coming to market all using the same Global Community 
Symbols. Moreover, many XRI use cases do 
not use the Global Community Symbols at all, and instead rely on "private roots" 
(using cross references based on URIs). 

 

(5) Nothing to add 
;-)

 
__________________________________________________ 
 

Chief Systems Architect 
Technology Strategies and Standards 
Visa 
International 
Phone: +1.650.432.3696   
Fax: +1.650.554.6817