New IPR rules, Q&A sessions

[James Bryce Clark <jamie.clark@oasis-open.org>]

TC leaders:

    Shortly we will be announcing the final revisions to our IPR Policy 
approved by our Board of Directors.  They follow the general principles 
laid out in the Member Review Drafts this summer [1], although they have 
been considerably improved by input from the member comments received [2].

     TRANSITION PLANNING
     When the IPR Policy changes are announced, two key dates will be 
announced for their application:
     -- an initial effective date in April 2005 (at least 60 days after the 
announcement), and
     -- the end of a long transition period (in April 2007), during which 
pre-existing TCs may transition.
During the transition period, each TC may choose when to select one of the 
three "modes" available under the 2005 rules, and proceed under the new 
policy requirements.  The revised rules include a short "Transition Policy" 
that structures those transition votes.
     This approach will give today's TCs some flexibility in their approach 
to transition.  I don't expect the new rules to change the goals or work 
plans of many TCs, because they clarify the same basic principles with 
which we've worked for years, with some clarified licensing 
obligations.  But if a TC does anticipate some effect on their work, the 
transition rules will allow them to pick a conversion date within the 
2-year window to suit their needs.
      FYI, new TCs which start (as defined by their first meeting date) 
after the initial effective date will be covered by the revised policy and 
so will need no transition period.

     TC PROCESS
     As you know, the TC Process rules also are being revised, largely to 
conform to the IPR Policy revisions.  The Board is finishing its work on 
those now.   They will be completed and posted well before the effective 
date of the IPR Policy changes.  However, they have not radically changed 
from the general outline of the October member review draft [3], save some 
improvements from member input [4].  I do not anticipate any significant 
operational effects on TCs from these rule revisions that weren't obvious 
in the October draft.

     CONFERENCE CALLS
     You may recall that we conducted some orientation conference calls, 
last October, to discuss any concerns and comments of TC chairs regarding 
the  member review drafts. [5]   The feedback we received suggested that 
these were useful.  We would like to do so again during February, to review 
and discuss any issues that you anticipate in implementing the new IPR rule 
revisions.
     Last October we used three dates and times intended to provide fairly 
wide access, regardless of time zone and schedule.  I invite any feedback 
on optimal time slots for these calls, which we plan to conduct during the 
week starting 21 February.  We will finalize and post a set of dates, times 
and conference numbers to this list by 10 February.
     We also plan to hold a session on TC leadership, rules and skills at 
the April OASIS Symposium in New Orleans, as previously announced [6], and 
hope that you can join us there.

    Thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of open standards.  Jamie

~   James Bryce Clark
~   Director, Standards Development, OASIS
~   +1 978 667 5115 x 203 central office

[1] http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/members/200407/msg00002.html
[2] http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/member-agreement-review/
[3] http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/members/200410/msg00004.html
[4] http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/tcproc-member-review/
[5] http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/chairs/200410/msg00034.html
[6] http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/chairs/200411/msg00023.html