Internet2 Intellectual Property Framework

[Ted Hanss <>]

Internet2 is pleased that you have chosen to participate in an Internet2 
Working Group.  Working Groups are an integral part of the Internet2 
community; Internet2 development activities take place in working 
groups.  Strong functional working groups provide intellectual capital and 
shared will to develop solutions.

As a member of an Internet2 working group you should be aware of the 
Internet2 Intellectual Property Framework 
(http://members.internet2.edu/intellectualproperty.html).  Your continued 
participation in the Working Group reflects your consent to abide by and 
work within this framework.  We ask that you read this framework carefully 
and if you have any questions that you contact the Working Group Chair or 
the Area Director for your working group.

Internet2 projects and initiatives may generate a variety of deliverables 
such as software, hardware, text documents, architectures, and 
innovations.  It is the desire of Internet2 to allocate the intellectual 
property rights associated with these deliverables in a manner that 
advances the Internet2 mission and to encourage innovation and future 
participation in Internet2 activities by both public and private-sector 
organizations. The purpose of the Internet2 Intellectual Property Framework 
document is to clarify the principles under which Internet2 operates with 
regard to intellectual property developed during the course of an Internet2 
project or initiative.

The following items from the standard approach to intellectual property 
rights as outlined in the Internet2 Intellectual Property Framework are of 
particular note to working group members. The standard approach will be 
followed for working group activities.

- Unless a written Non-Disclosure or Confidentiality Agreement is in 
effect, the following shall be deemed contributed to Internet2 Working 
Groups, Working Group Projects, and Internet2 Area Initiatives and Projects 
(with a license to use any and all intellectual property rights associated 
with that contribution): conversations, correspondence, and/or all 
documents, electronic or otherwise. In this regard, all contributions may 
be made freely available to the public. By virtue of the contribution, the 
contributor agrees that it will not pursue any action for infringement of 
intellectual property with respect to the contribution, or seek any payment 
or royalty of any kind, or transfer any intellectual property right with 
respect to that contribution to any third party.

- At the start of every project, participants will determine who will be 
the holder of the intellectual property.  Internet2 prefers not to own 
intellectual property and will acquire the intellectual property associated 
with Internet2-supported initiatives and projects only where necessary to 
achieve the goals set forth in the Statement of Principles

- Before beginning a project, participants must disclose any knowledge of 
an intellectual property claim (published, laid open, or otherwise) that 
may be infringed by the group's work.  The obligation is ongoing, and 
disclosures should contain information about the claims whenever 
possible  [see Example 1:  Standard Disclosure for Participants].

- At the start of every project, participants will indicate in writing; (1) 
whether or not they hold any intellectual property rights that are likely 
to be used in the project; and (2) the terms and conditions under which 
they will license any intellectual property should there prove to be no 
reasonable infringing alternative.  This disclosure obligation is based on 
the respondent's actual, personal knowledge, and does not require a 
respondent to conduct a search of his or her organization's intellectual 
property portfolio  [see Example 2:  Standard Assignment for Participants].

- Projects will be distributed under a standard Internet2 OS 
license.  Should the project participants determine that they wish to 
include existing intellectual property that is not consistent with the 
Standard UCAID/Internet2 OS License, an alternative approach may be considered.

- Project participants must agree to this intellectual property approach in 
order to participate.

Thank you for your participation in our working groups.  We appreciate your 
support of our Intellectual Property Framework.  Again, if you have any 
questions please contact your Working Group Chair or the Area Director 
responsible for your Working Group.


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