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<!doctype html><html lang="en"> <head> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <title>W3C Patent Policy</title> <meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" name="viewport"> <link href="https://www.w3.org/StyleSheets/TR/2016/base.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <meta content=" The W3C Patent Policy governs the handling of patents in the process of producing Web standards. The goal of this policy is to assure that Specifications produced under this policy can be implemented on a Royalty-Free (RF) basis." name="abstract"> <meta content="Bikeshed version 792aee41, updated Fri Jun 5 17:22:42 2020 -0700" name="generator"> <link href="https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/" rel="canonical"> <meta content="c68b632f3ece2d48825a6251309109d08c843491" name="document-revision"> <style>/* style-autolinks */ .css.css, .property.property, .descriptor.descriptor { color: #005a9c; font-size: inherit; font-family: inherit; } .css::before, .property::before, .descriptor::before { content: "‘"; } .css::after, .property::after, .descriptor::after { content: "’"; } .property, .descriptor { /* Don't wrap property and descriptor names */ white-space: nowrap; } .type { /* CSS value <type> */ font-style: italic; } pre .property::before, pre .property::after { content: ""; } [data-link-type="property"]::before, [data-link-type="propdesc"]::before, [data-link-type="descriptor"]::before, [data-link-type="value"]::before, [data-link-type="function"]::before, [data-link-type="at-rule"]::before, [data-link-type="selector"]::before, [data-link-type="maybe"]::before { content: "‘"; 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} dfn:hover > a.self-link { opacity: 1; } dfn > a.self-link:hover { color: black; } a.self-link::before { content: "¶"; } .heading > a.self-link::before { content: "§"; } dfn > a.self-link::before { content: "#"; }</style> <body class="h-entry"> <div class="head"> <a class="logo" href="https://www.w3.org/"> <img alt="W3C" height="48" src="https://www.w3.org/StyleSheets/TR/2016/logos/W3C" width="72"> </a> <h1 class="p-name no-ref" id="title">W3C Patent Policy</h1> <h2 class="no-num no-toc no-ref heading settled" id="subtitle"><time class="dt-updated" datetime="2020-09-15">15 September 2020</time> </h2> <div data-fill-with="spec-metadata"> <dl> <dt>This version: <dd><a class="u-url" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/20200915/">https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/20200915/</a> <dt>Latest published version: <dd><a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/">https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/</a> <dt>Previous Versions: <dd><a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy-20170801/" rel="prev">https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy-20170801/</a> <dt class="editor">Editor: <dd class="editor p-author h-card vcard"><a class="p-name fn u-email email" href="mailto:wseltzer@w3.org">Wendy Seltzer</a> (W3C/MIT) <dt class="editor">Former Editor: <dd class="editor p-author h-card vcard"><a class="p-name fn u-email email" href="mailto:djweitzner@w3.org">Daniel J. Weitzner</a> (W3C/MIT) </dl> </div> <div data-fill-with="warning"></div> <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#Copyright">Copyright</a> © 2000-2020 <a href="https://www.w3.org/"><abbr title="World Wide Web Consortium">W3C</abbr></a>® (<a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/"><abbr title="Massachusetts Institute of Technology">MIT</abbr></a>, <a href="https://www.ercim.eu/"><abbr title="European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics">ERCIM</abbr></a>, <a href="https://www.keio.ac.jp/">Keio</a>, <a href="http://ev.buaa.edu.cn/">Beihang</a>). W3C <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#Legal_Disclaimer">liability</a>, <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#W3C_Trademarks">trademark</a> and <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/copyright-documents">document use</a> rules apply. <hr title="Separator for header"> </div> <div class="p-summary" data-fill-with="abstract"> <h2 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="abstract">Abstract</h2> The W3C Patent Policy governs the handling of patents in the process of producing Web standards. The goal of this policy is to assure that Specifications produced under this policy can be implemented on a Royalty-Free (RF) basis. </div> <h2 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="status"> Status of This Document</h2> <div data-fill-with="status"> Status Update (June 2024): The links to this version of the patent policy, its latest version and the process document have been updated and are now located in the policies section of the website. This is the 15 September 2020 version of the W3C Patent Policy. This document has been reviewed by W3C Members and other interested parties and has been endorsed by the W3C Director as the W3C Patent Policy. It is a stable document and may be used as reference material or cited as a normative reference from another document. W3C's role in making this policy is to provide a stable policy for handling patent claims in the context of W3C Recommendations and to enhance the functionality and interoperability of the Web. This policy was produced by the W3C <a href="https://www.w3.org/2004/pp/psig/">Patents and Standards Interest Group</a>. Please report errors in this document to the <a href="mailto:www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org">www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org</a> mailing list (<a href="https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-patentpolicy-comment/">public archive</a>). The <a href="errata.html">list of known errors</a> is public. The English version of this policy is the only normative version. </div> <nav data-fill-with="table-of-contents" id="toc"> <h2 class="no-num no-toc no-ref" id="contents">Table of Contents</h2> <ol class="toc" role="directory"> <li><a href="#abstract"> Abstract</a> <li><a href="#status"> Status of This Document</a> <li><a href="#sec-Overview">1 Overview</a> <li><a href="#sec-Licensing">2 Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <li> <a href="#sec-Obligations">3 Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#sec-W3C-RF-license">3.1 W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#sec-non-participants">3.2 Limitation on Licensing Requirement for Non-Participating Members</a> <li><a href="#sec-submissions">3.3 Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <li><a href="#sec-invited">3.4 Note on Licensing Commitments for Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="##spec-licensing-commitments">3.5 Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <li><a href="#commitment-persistence">3.6 Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> </ol> <li> <a href="#sec-Exclusion">4 Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#sec-exclusion-with">4.1 Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <li><a href="#sec-exclusion-resign">4.2 Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <li><a href="#sec-join">4.3 Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <li><a href="#sec-exclude-app">4.4 Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <li><a href="#sec-exclude-mech">4.5 Exclusion Mechanics</a> </ol> <li><a href="#sec-Requirements">5 W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <li> <a href="#sec-Disclosure">6 Disclosure</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-requirements">6.1 Disclosure Requirements</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-exemption">6.2 Disclosure Exemption</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-requests">6.3 Disclosure Requests</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-contents">6.4 Disclosure Contents</a> <li><a href="#sec-published">6.5 Disclosure of Laid-Open or Published Applications</a> <li><a href="#sec-pending">6.6 Disclosure of Pending, Unpublished Applications</a> <li><a href="#sec-good-faith">6.7 Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-timing">6.8 Timing of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-termination">6.9 Termination of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-invite">6.10 Disclosure Obligations of Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#sec-disclosure-public">6.11 Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track</a> </ol> <li> <a href="#sec-Exception">7 Exception Handling</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-formation">7.1 PAG Formation</a> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-post-Recommendation">7.2 PAG Formation After a Recommendation Is Issued</a> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-composition">7.3 PAG Composition</a> <li> <a href="#sec-PAG-procedures">7.4 PAG Procedures</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-procedures-timing">7.4.1 PAG Formation Timing</a> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-procedures-charter">7.4.2 PAG Charter Requirements</a> </ol> <li> <a href="#sec-PAG-conclude">7.5 PAG Conclusion</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-conclude-possible">7.5.1 Possible PAG Conclusions</a> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-conclude-outcome">7.5.2 PAG Outcome</a> <li><a href="#sec-PAG-conclude-alternate">7.5.3 Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> </ol> </ol> <li> <a href="#def-essential">8 Definition of Essential Claims</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#def-essential-definition">8.1 Essential Claims</a> <li><a href="#def-essential-exclusions">8.2 Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims</a> <li><a href="#def-essential-requirements">8.3 Definition of Normative, Optional and Informative</a> </ol> <li> <a href="#references"> References</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#normative"> Normative References</a> </ol> <li><a href="#sec-acknowledgments"> Acknowledgments</a> <li> <a href="#index"> Index</a> <ol class="toc"> <li><a href="#index-defined-here"> Terms defined by this specification</a> <li><a href="#index-defined-elsewhere"> Terms defined by reference</a> </ol> </ol> </nav> <main> <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="1" id="sec-Overview">1. Overview<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Overview"></a></h2> This patent policy describes: <ol> <li> licensing goals for W3C <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification">Specifications</a> <li> licensing obligations that <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant">participants</a> will undertake as a condition of Working Group participation, along with means of excluding specific patents from those obligations <li> the definition of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF">W3C Royalty-Free license</a> <li> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure">disclosure</a> rules for W3C Members <li> an <a href="#sec-Exception">exception handling process</a> for situations in which the Royalty-Free status of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①">Specification</a> comes under question <li> definition of <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims">Essential Claims</a> </ol> All numbered sections of this document (1-8), as well as hyperlinks to material within and outside of this document, are normative. <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="2" id="sec-Licensing">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Licensing"></a></h2> In order to promote the widest adoption of Web standards, W3C seeks to develop <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②">Specifications</a> that can be implemented on a <a href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF①②">Royalty-Free</a> (RF) basis. Subject to the conditions of this policy, W3C will not approve a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C">Recommendation</a> if it is aware that <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①">Essential Claims</a> exist which are not available on Royalty-Free terms. To this end, <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#WGCharter" id="ref-for-WGCharter">Working Group charters</a> will include a reference to this policy and a requirement that <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③">Specifications</a> produced by the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG②">Working Group</a> will be implementable on an RF basis, to the best ability of the Working Group and the Consortium. For the purpose of this policy, “<dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="specification">Specification</dfn>” refers to a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#technical-report" id="ref-for-technical-report">W3C technical report</a> published on the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#rec-track" id="ref-for-rec-track">Recommendation Track</a>, see <a data-link-type="biblio" href="#biblio-process">[PROCESS]</a>. “<dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="patent-review-draft">Patent Review Draft</dfn> refers to a version of a W3C <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification④">Specification</a> defined <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#patent-review-drafts" id="ref-for-patent-review-drafts">as such</a> by the W3C Process [PROCESS], that is published for patent review and exclusion. <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="3" id="sec-Obligations">3. Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Obligations"></a></h2> The following obligations shall apply to all <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①">participants</a> in <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④">W3C Working Groups</a>. These obligations will be referenced from each <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#WGCharter" id="ref-for-WGCharter①">Working Group charter</a> and <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#cfp" id="ref-for-cfp">Calls for Participation</a>. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="3.1" id="sec-W3C-RF-license">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants<a class="self-link" href="#sec-W3C-RF-license"></a></h3> As a condition of participating in a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤">Working Group</a>, each <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="participant">participant</dfn> (W3C Members, W3C Team members, invited experts, and members of the public) shall agree to make Specification <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#licensing-commitment" id="ref-for-licensing-commitment">Licensing Commitments</a> under <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF①">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> for any <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②">Essential Claims</a> related to the work of that particular Working Group that are not excluded pursuant to <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a>. This requirement includes Essential Claims that the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②">participant</a> owns and any that the participant has the right to license without obligation of payment or other consideration to an unrelated third party. With the exception of the provisions of <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a> below, W3C RF licensing obligations made concerning the work of the particular Working Group and described in this policy are binding on participants for the life of the patents in question and encumber the patents containing Essential Claims, regardless of changes in participation status or W3C Membership. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="3.2" id="sec-non-participants">3.2. Limitation on Licensing Requirement for Non-Participating Members<a class="self-link" href="#sec-non-participants"></a></h3> Only the affirmative act of joining a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑧">Working Group</a>, or otherwise agreeing to the licensing terms described here, will obligate a Member to the W3C RF licensing commitments. Mere Membership in W3C alone, without other factors, does not give rise to the RF licensing obligation under this policy. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="3.3" id="sec-submissions">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions<a class="self-link" href="#sec-submissions"></a></h3> At the time a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#MemberSubmission" id="ref-for-MemberSubmission">W3C Member Submission</a> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#Submission">[PROCESS, section 10</a>] is made, all Submitters and any others who provide patent licenses associated with the submitted document must indicate whether or not each entity (Submitters and other licensors) will offer a license according to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF②">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> for any portion of the Member Submission that is subsequently incorporated in a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①">Recommendation</a>. The W3C Team may acknowledge the Member Submission if the answer to the licensing commitment is either affirmative or negative, and shall not acknowledge the Member Submission if no response is provided. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="3.4" id="sec-invited">3.4. Note on Licensing Commitments for Invited Experts<a class="self-link" href="#sec-invited"></a></h3> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#invited-expert-wg" id="ref-for-invited-expert-wg">Invited experts</a> participate in <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑨">Working Groups</a> in their individual capacity. An invited expert is only obliged to license those claims over which s/he exercises control. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="3.5" id="#spec-licensing-commitments">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments<a class="self-link" href="#%23spec-licensing-commitments"></a></h3> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①⓪">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant⑤">participants</a> who forego the right to exclude <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims⑤">Essential Claims</a> against a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification⑤">Specification</a> when provided the opportunity to do so see <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a>, commit to license those Essential Claims under the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF③">W3C Royalty-Free Licensing Requirements</a>. This Specification <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="licensing-commitment">Licensing Commitment</dfn> is effective at the later of: <ol> <li> The first publication of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification⑦">Specification</a> (after <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant⑥">participant</a> joins the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①①">Working Group</a>) as either a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft①">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C②">Recommendation</a> in which the claim is <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims⑦">essential</a>; <li> The end of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant⑦">participant</a>’s first <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#exclusion-opportunity" id="ref-for-exclusion-opportunity">Exclusion Opportunity</a> pertaining to that claim. </ol> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="3.6" id="commitment-persistence">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence<a class="self-link" href="#commitment-persistence"></a></h3> If a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①②">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant⑧">participant</a> makes <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#licensing-commitment" id="ref-for-licensing-commitment①">Licensing Commitments</a> on a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification⑧">Specification</a> for an <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims⑧">Essential Claim</a>, the Licensing Commitment carries forward to a subsequent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C③">Recommendation</a> of the Specification if: <ol> <li> the subsequent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft③">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C④">Recommendation</a> uses the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims⑨">Essential Claim</a> in a substantially similar manner and to a substantially similar extent with a substantially similar result as the Essential Claim was used in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①⓪">Specification</a> on which the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①③">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant⑨">participant</a> made the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#licensing-commitment" id="ref-for-licensing-commitment③">Licensing Commitment</a>; and <li> the subsequent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft④">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C⑤">Recommendation</a> is within, or only a minor expansion of, the scope of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#WGCharter" id="ref-for-WGCharter②">Working Group’s charter</a> as it existed at the time of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①⓪">participant</a>’s <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#licensing-commitment" id="ref-for-licensing-commitment④">Licensing Commitment</a> to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①①">Specification</a>. </ol> In addition, even if the above requirements are not met, if an implementation of a subsequent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft⑤">Patent Review Draft</a> is also an implementation of a prior Patent Review Draft, then implementation of the subsequent Patent Review Draft or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C⑥">Recommendation</a> will also benefit from the license commitments made by <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①①">participants</a> in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①④">Working Group</a> that developed the prior Patent Review Draft or Recommendation. <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="4" id="sec-Exclusion">4. Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Exclusion"></a></h2> Under the following conditions, <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①⑤">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①②">participants</a> may exclude specifically identified and disclosed <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①①">Essential Claims</a> from the overall <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF④">W3C RF licensing requirements</a>: <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="4.1" id="sec-exclusion-with">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation<a class="self-link" href="#sec-exclusion-with"></a></h3> Specific <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①②">Essential Claims</a> may be excluded from the <a href="#sec-W3C-RF-license">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> by a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①③">participant</a> who seeks to remain in the Working Group but only if that participant indicates its refusal to license specific Essential Claims by specifically disclosing them as required in <a href="#sec-exclude-mech">§ 4.5 Exclusion Mechanics</a> during an <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="exclusion-opportunity">Exclusion Opportunity</dfn>. The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#exclusion-opportunity" id="ref-for-exclusion-opportunity①">Exclusion Opportunity</a> and its duration, as described herein, are announced with a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#call-for-exclusion" id="ref-for-call-for-exclusion">Call for Exclusions</a>. A <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①⑤">participant</a> may exclude from the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF⑤">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> any of their <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①④">Essential Claims</a> in a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#fpwd" id="ref-for-fpwd">First Public Working Draft</a> <a data-link-type="biblio" href="#biblio-process">[PROCESS]</a>, or if there is any update to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①②">Specification</a> published within 90 days thereafter, in that latest Specification, within a 150-day <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#exclusion-opportunity" id="ref-for-exclusion-opportunity②">Exclusion Opportunity</a> that begins upon publication of the First Public Working Draft. Additionally, if any claims are made <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①⑤">essential</a> by a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft⑨">Patent Review Draft</a> as a result of subject matter not present or apparent at a previous <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#exclusion-opportunity" id="ref-for-exclusion-opportunity③">Exclusion Opportunity</a>, the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①⑥">participant</a> may exclude these new Essential Claims, and only these claims, by excluding them within a 60-day Exclusion Opportunity that begins upon the publication of the Patent Review Draft A participant who excludes <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①⑦">Essential Claims</a> may continue to participate in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①⑥">Working Group</a>. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="4.2" id="sec-exclusion-resign">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group<a class="self-link" href="#sec-exclusion-resign"></a></h3> A <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①⑦">participant</a> may resign from the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①⑦">Working Group</a> within 90 days after the publication of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#fpwd" id="ref-for-fpwd②">First Public Working Draft</a> of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①④">Specification</a> and be excused from all Specification <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#licensing-commitment" id="ref-for-licensing-commitment⑤">Licensing Commitments</a> arising out of Working Group participation with respect to that Specification. If a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant①⑧">participant</a> leaves the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG①⑨">Working Group</a> later than 90 days after the publication of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#fpwd" id="ref-for-fpwd③">First Public Working Draft</a>, that participant is bound to license <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①⑧">Essential Claims</a> pertaining to that <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①⑥">Specification</a> based on subject matter contained in the latest <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD" id="ref-for-RecsWD">Working Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft①①">Patent Review Draft</a> published before the participant resigned from the Working Group, and in all previous Patent Review Drafts and Working Drafts to which the participant was committed, subject to any exclusion made by the participant. In addition, departing <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②③">participants</a> have a 60-day <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#exclusion-opportunity" id="ref-for-exclusion-opportunity⑤">Exclusion Opportunity</a> after their actual resignation to exclude <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims①⑨">Essential Claims</a> if: <ol> <li> such claims are <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②⓪">essential</a> to subject matter that is contained in the latest <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD" id="ref-for-RecsWD②">Working Draft</a> published before the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②④">participant</a> resigns, and <li> such subject matter is not present or apparent in a publication of that <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①⑦">Specification</a> on which the departing <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②⑤">participant</a> had an <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#exclusion-opportunity" id="ref-for-exclusion-opportunity⑥">Exclusion Opportunity</a>. </ol> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②⑥">participant</a> follows the same procedures specified in this <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a> for excluding claims in issued patents, published applications, and unpublished applications. Participants resigning from a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG②①">Working Group</a> are still subject to all <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①">disclosure</a> obligations described in <a href="#sec-Disclosure">section 6</a>. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="4.3" id="sec-join">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group<a class="self-link" href="#sec-join"></a></h3> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②⑧">Participants</a> who join a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG②②">Working Group</a> more than 90 days after the publication of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#fpwd" id="ref-for-fpwd④">First Public Working Draft</a> of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①⑧">Specification</a> that has not yet been published as a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft①③">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C⑧">Recommendation</a> must exclude <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②①">Essential Claims</a> covered in the latest <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD" id="ref-for-RecsWD③">Working Draft</a> published within 90 days after the First Public Working Draft at the later of 150 days after the publication of the First Public Working Draft or upon joining the Working Group. <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant②⑨">Participants</a> who join a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG②④">Working Group</a> after publication of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft①④">Patent Review Draft</a> must exclude <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②②">Essential Claims</a> covered in the latest Patent Review Draft at the later of 60 days after the publication of that Patent Review Draft or upon joining the Working Group. Their <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#licensing-commitment" id="ref-for-licensing-commitment⑥">Licensing Commitment</a> becomes effective at publication of the first Patent Review Draft or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C⑨">Recommendation</a> after participant joins the Working Group. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="4.4" id="sec-exclude-app">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications<a class="self-link" href="#sec-exclude-app"></a></h3> Exclusion of <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②③">Essential Claims</a> in pending, unpublished applications follows the procedures for exclusion of issued claims and claims in published applications in <a href="#sec-exclusion-with">section 4.1</a> through <a href="#sec-join">4.3</a>, except that the final deadline for exclusion of unpublished claims is at <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑧">Patent Review Draft</a> plus 60 days for any material, regardless of whether or not it was contained in the documents referenced in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#call-for-exclusion" id="ref-for-call-for-exclusion①">Call for Exclusion</a> document. Nevertheless, <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant③①">participants</a> have a good faith obligation to make such exclusions as soon as is practical after the publication of the first <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD" id="ref-for-RecsWD④">Working Draft</a> that includes the relevant technology. Any exclusion of an <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②④">Essential Claim</a> in an unpublished application must provide either: <ol> <li> the text of the filed application; or <li> identification of the subsection(s) of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification①⑨">Specification</a> whose implementation makes the excluded claim <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②⑤">essential</a>. </ol> If option 2 is chosen, the effect of the exclusion will be limited to the identified part(s) of the specification. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="4.5" id="sec-exclude-mech">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics<a class="self-link" href="#sec-exclude-mech"></a></h3> A <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-export id="call-for-exclusion">Call for Exclusion</dfn> will be issued by the W3C indicating the relevant documents against which <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant③②">participants</a> must make exclusion statements as well as precise dates and deadlines for making any exclusions. In case there is any dispute about the dates for exclusion, the dates indicated in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#call-for-exclusion" id="ref-for-call-for-exclusion②">Call for Exclusion</a> are controlling. The Call for Exclusion will be sent to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG②⑦">Working Group</a> mailing list and the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#AC" id="ref-for-AC">Advisory Committee</a> Representatives of all organizations participating in the Working Group. In the event that a Working Group issues more than one <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②⓪">Specification</a> the exclusion procedure will be employed for each series of documents individually. Any exclusion of an <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②⑥">Essential Claim</a> must disclose: <ol> <li> the patent number or the publication number assigned to the patent application for a published application; and <li> identification of the subsection(s) of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②①">Specification</a> whose implementation makes the excluded claim <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②⑦">essential</a>. </ol> <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="5" id="sec-Requirements">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Requirements"></a></h2> With respect to a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑨">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①⓪">Recommendation</a> developed under this policy, a <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-local-lt="RF License" data-lt="W3C Royalty-Free license | W3C RF Licensing Requirements | W3C Royalty-Free Licensing Requirements" data-noexport id="def-RF">W3C Royalty-Free license</dfn> shall mean a non-assignable, non-sublicensable license to make, have made, use, sell, have sold, offer to sell, import, and distribute and dispose of implementations of the Patent Review Draft or Recommendation that: <blockquote> 1. shall be available to all, worldwide, whether or not they are W3C Members; 2. shall extend to all <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②⑧">Essential Claims</a> owned or controlled by the licensor; 3. may be limited to implementations of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②①">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①②">Recommendation</a>, and to what is required by the Patent Review Draft or Recommendation; 4. may be conditioned on a grant of a reciprocal <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF⑥">RF license</a> (as defined in this policy) to all <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims②⑨">Essential Claims</a> owned or controlled by the licensee. A reciprocal license may be required to be available to all, and a reciprocal license may itself be conditioned on a further reciprocal license from all. 5. may not be conditioned on payment of royalties, fees or other consideration; 6. may be suspended with respect to any licensee when licensor is sued by licensee for infringement of claims <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③⓪">essential</a> to implement any <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②③">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①④">W3C Recommendation</a>; 7. may not impose any further conditions or restrictions on the use of any technology, intellectual property rights, or other restrictions on behavior of the licensee, but may include reasonable, customary terms relating to operation or maintenance of the license relationship such as the following: choice of law and dispute resolution; 8. shall not be considered accepted by an implementer who manifests an intent not to accept the terms of the W3C Royalty-Free license as offered by the licensor. License term: 9. The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF⑦">RF license</a> conforming to the requirements in this policy shall be made available by the licensor subject to the limitations of 5(10). The term of such license shall be for the life of the patents in question, 10. If the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②④">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①⑤">Recommendation</a> is <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#rec-rescind" id="ref-for-rec-rescind">rescinded</a> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#rec-rescind">[PROCESS, section 6.9</a>] by W3C, then no new licenses need be granted but any licenses granted before the Patent Review Draft or Recommendation was rescinded shall remain in effect. </blockquote> All <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③⓪">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant③③">participants</a> are encouraged to provide a contact from which licensing information can be obtained and other relevant licensing information. Any such information will be made publicly available along with the patent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure②">disclosures</a> for the Working Group in question. <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="6" id="sec-Disclosure">6. Disclosure<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Disclosure"></a></h2> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.1" id="sec-disclosure-requirements">6.1. Disclosure Requirements<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-requirements"></a></h3> <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="disclosure">Disclosure</dfn> is <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-lt="disclosure requirement" data-noexport id="disclosure-requirement">required</dfn> when both of the following are true: <ol> <li> an individual in a Member organization receives a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure-requests" id="ref-for-disclosure-requests">disclosure request</a> as described in <a href="#sec-disclosure-requests">section 6.3</a>; and <li> that individual has actual knowledge of a patent which the individual believes contains <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③①">Essential Claim</a>(s) with respect to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②②">Specification</a> for which disclosure is <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure-requests" id="ref-for-disclosure-requests①">requested</a>. </ol> Anyone in a Member organization who receives a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure-requests" id="ref-for-disclosure-requests②">disclosure request</a> and who has such knowledge must inform that <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative" id="ref-for-advisory-committee-representative">AC Rep</a>. Where <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure③">disclosure</a> is required, the AC Rep will do so. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.2" id="sec-disclosure-exemption">6.2. Disclosure Exemption<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-exemption"></a></h3> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure④">disclosure</a> obligation as to a particular claim is satisfied if the holder of the claim has made a commitment to license that claim under <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF⑧">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> and the claim is no longer subject to exclusion under <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a>. An <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③②">Essential Claim</a> is no longer subject to exclusion if a patent holder has affirmatively agreed to license the Essential Claim (effectively waiving its right to exclude such patent under <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a>) or if the relevant exclusion period under <a href="#sec-Exclusion">section 4</a> has lapsed. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.3" id="sec-disclosure-requests">6.3. Disclosure Requests<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-requests"></a></h3> <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="disclosure-requests">Disclosure requests</dfn> will be included in each <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②③">Specification</a>. Separate requests may be issued by the W3C to any party suspected of having knowledge of <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③④">Essential Claims</a>. Such <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure-requests" id="ref-for-disclosure-requests③">disclosure requests</a> will instruct the recipient to respond through their <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative" id="ref-for-advisory-committee-representative②">AC Rep</a> (in the case of Members) or a W3C contact (in the case of non-Members). Disclosure requests other than those that appear in the Specification itself should be directed to the AC Rep. <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure-requests" id="ref-for-disclosure-requests⑤">Disclosure requests</a> will provide administrative details for making disclosures. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.4" id="sec-disclosure-contents">6.4. Disclosure Contents<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-contents"></a></h3> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure⑤">Disclosure</a> statements must include: <ol> <li> the patent number, but need not mention specific claims <li> the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③②">Working Group</a> and/or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②⑤">Specification</a> to which it applies </ol> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.5" id="sec-published">6.5. Disclosure of Laid-Open or Published Applications<a class="self-link" href="#sec-published"></a></h3> In the case of laid-open or published applications, the Member’s good faith <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure⑥">disclosure</a> obligation extends to unpublished amended and/or added claims that have been allowed by relevant legal authorities and that the Member believes to be <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③⑤">Essential Claims</a>. To satisfy the disclosure obligation for such claims, the Member shall either: <ol> <li> disclose such claims, or <li> identify those portions of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②⑥">Specification</a> likely to be covered by such claims. </ol> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.6" id="sec-pending">6.6. Disclosure of Pending, Unpublished Applications<a class="self-link" href="#sec-pending"></a></h3> If a W3C Member includes claims in a patent application and such claims were developed based on information from a W3C <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③③">Working Group</a> or W3C document, the Member must disclose the existence of such pending unpublished applications. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.7" id="sec-good-faith">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards<a class="self-link" href="#sec-good-faith"></a></h3> Satisfaction of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure-requirement" id="ref-for-disclosure-requirement">disclosure requirement</a> does not require that the discloser perform a patent search or any analysis of the relationship between the patents that the Member organization holds and the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②⑦">Specification</a> in question. <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure⑧">Disclosure</a> of third party patents is only required where the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative" id="ref-for-advisory-committee-representative③">Advisory Committee Representative</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③④">Working Group</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#participant" id="ref-for-participant③④">participant</a> has been made aware that the third party patent holder or applicant has asserted that its patent contains <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③⑥">Essential Claims</a>, unless such disclosure would breach a pre-existing non-disclosure obligation. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.8" id="sec-disclosure-timing">6.8. Timing of Disclosure Obligations<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-timing"></a></h3> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①⓪">disclosure</a> obligation is an ongoing obligation that begins with the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#cfp" id="ref-for-cfp①">Call for Participation</a>. Full satisfaction of the disclosure obligation may not be possible until later in the process when the design is more complete. In any case, disclosure as soon as practically possible is required. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.9" id="sec-disclosure-termination">6.9. Termination of Disclosure Obligations<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-termination"></a></h3> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①③">disclosure</a> obligation terminates when the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①⑦">Recommendation</a> is published or when the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③⑤">Working Group</a> terminates. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.10" id="sec-disclosure-invite">6.10. Disclosure Obligations of Invited Experts<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-invite"></a></h3> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#invited-expert-wg" id="ref-for-invited-expert-wg②">Invited experts</a> or members of the public participating in a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③⑥">Working Group</a> must comply with <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①④">disclosure</a> obligations to the extent of their own personal knowledge. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="6.11" id="sec-disclosure-public">6.11. Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track<a class="self-link" href="#sec-disclosure-public"></a></h3> Patent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①⑤">disclosure</a> information for each <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②⑧">Specification</a> will be made public along with each public <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD" id="ref-for-RecsWD⑤">Working Draft</a> issued by the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③⑦">Working Group</a>. <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="7" id="sec-Exception">7. Exception Handling<a class="self-link" href="#sec-Exception"></a></h2> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="7.1" id="sec-PAG-formation">7.1. PAG Formation<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-formation"></a></h3> In the event a patent has been disclosed that may be essential, but is not available under <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF⑨">W3C RF licensing requirements</a>, a <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-export data-lt="Patent Advisory Group | PAG" id="patent-advisory-group">Patent Advisory Group (PAG)</dfn> will be launched to resolve the conflict. The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group">PAG</a> is an ad-hoc group constituted specifically in relation to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG③⑧">Working Group</a> with the conflict. A PAG may also be formed without such a disclosure if a PAG could help avoid anticipated patent problems. During the time that the PAG is operating, the Working Group may continue its technical work within the bounds of its <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#WGCharter" id="ref-for-WGCharter③">charter</a>. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="7.2" id="sec-PAG-post-Recommendation">7.2. PAG Formation After a Recommendation Is Issued<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-post-Recommendation"></a></h3> A <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group④">PAG</a> may also be convened in the event <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③⑦">Essential Claims</a> are discovered after a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①⑧">Recommendation</a> is issued. In this case the PAG will be open to any interested Member, though the PAG may choose to meet without the holder of the Essential Claims in question. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="7.3" id="sec-PAG-composition">7.3. PAG Composition<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-composition"></a></h3> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑦">PAG</a> is composed of: <ul> <li> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative" id="ref-for-advisory-committee-representative④">Advisory Committee Representatives</a> of each W3C Member organization participating in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④⓪">Working Group</a> (or alternate designated by the AC Rep) <li> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④①">Working Group</a> Team Contact <li> W3C counsel <li> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④②">Working Group</a> Chair, ex officio <li> W3C Manager responsible for the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④③">Working Group</a> <li> Others suggested by the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④④">Working Group</a> Chair and/or the Team with the approval of the Director </ul> W3C Member participants in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑧">PAG</a> should be authorized to represent their organization’s views on patent licensing issues. Any participant in the PAG may also be represented by legal counsel, though this is not required. <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#invited-expert-wg" id="ref-for-invited-expert-wg③">Invited experts</a> are not entitled to participate in the PAG, though the PAG may chose to invite any qualified experts who would be able to assist the PAG in its determinations. W3C expects to provide qualified legal staffing to all <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group①③">PAGs</a> in the form of a Team member who develops experience with the PAG process and patent issues at W3C. Legal staff to the PAG will represent the interests of the Consortium as a whole. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="7.4" id="sec-PAG-procedures">7.4. PAG Procedures<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-procedures"></a></h3> <h4 class="heading settled" data-level="7.4.1" id="sec-PAG-procedures-timing">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-procedures-timing"></a></h4> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⑥">PAG</a> will be convened by the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④⑤">Working Group</a> Team Contact, based on a charter developed initially by the Team. The timing for convening the PAG is at the discretion of the Director, based on consultation with the Chair of the Working Group. In some cases, convening a PAG before a specific patent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①⑥">disclosure</a> is made may be useful. In other cases, it may be that the PAG can better resolve the licensing problems when the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification②⑨">Specification</a> is at the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsCR" id="ref-for-RecsCR">Candidate Recommendation</a> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#maturity-levels" id="ref-for-maturity-levels">maturity level</a>. <h4 class="heading settled" data-level="7.4.2" id="sec-PAG-procedures-charter">7.4.2. PAG Charter Requirements<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-procedures-charter"></a></h4> The charter should include: <ul> <li> clear goals for the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⓪">PAG</a>, especially a statement of the question(s) the PAG is to answer. <li> duration. <li> confidentiality status, which must follow the underlying <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④⑦">Working Group</a> (<a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#Member-only" id="ref-for-Member-only">Member only</a>, public, etc.). </ul> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group②②">PAG</a> charter must specify deadlines for completion of individual work items it takes on. The PAG, once convened, may propose changes to its charter as appropriate, to be accepted based on consensus of the PAG participants. The Team will choose a member of the PAG to serve as Chair. A single PAG may exist for the duration of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④⑧">Working Group</a> with which it is associated if needed. In order to obtain input from the interested public at large, as soon as the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑦">PAG</a> is convened, the PAG charter will be made public, along with all of the patent <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#disclosure" id="ref-for-disclosure①⑦">disclosure</a> and licensing statements applicable to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG④⑨">Working Group</a> in question. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="7.5" id="sec-PAG-conclude">7.5. PAG Conclusion<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-conclude"></a></h3> <h4 class="heading settled" data-level="7.5.1" id="sec-PAG-conclude-possible">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-conclude-possible"></a></h4> After appropriate consultation, the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑨">PAG</a> may conclude: <ol> <li> The initial concern has been resolved, enabling the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⓪">Working Group</a> to continue. <li> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤①">Working Group</a> should be instructed to consider designing around the identified claims. <li> The Team should seek further information and evaluation, including and not limited to evaluation of the patents in question or the terms under which <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF①⓪">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> may be met. <li> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤②">Working Group</a>, or its work on the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③⓪">Specification</a>(s) at issue, should be terminated. <li> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③①">Specification</a> (if it has already been issued) should be <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#rec-rescind" id="ref-for-rec-rescind②">rescinded</a>. <li> Alternative licensing terms should be considered. The procedure in <a href="#sec-PAG-conclude-alternate">section 7.5.3</a> must be followed. </ol> <h4 class="heading settled" data-level="7.5.2" id="sec-PAG-conclude-outcome">7.5.2. PAG Outcome<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-conclude-outcome"></a></h4> Outcomes 4, 5 or 6 require an <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#ACReview" id="ref-for-ACReview">Advisory Committee review</a> and Director’s decision. In any case, the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-advisory-group" id="ref-for-patent-advisory-group③⓪">PAG</a> must state its proposal and reasons in a public W3C document. <h4 class="heading settled" data-level="7.5.3" id="sec-PAG-conclude-alternate">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms<a class="self-link" href="#sec-PAG-conclude-alternate"></a></h4> After having made every effort to resolve the conflict through options 1, 2, and 3 under <a href="#sec-PAG-conclude-possible">7.5.1</a>, the PAG, by <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#def-Consensus" id="ref-for-def-Consensus">consensus</a> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#Consensus">PROCESS, section 3.3</a>], may propose that specifically identified patented technology be included in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③②">Specification</a> even though such claims are not available according to the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#def-RF" id="ref-for-def-RF①①">W3C RF licensing requirements</a> of this policy ("<dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-export id="pag-proposal">PAG Proposal</dfn>"). The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#pag-proposal" id="ref-for-pag-proposal">PAG Proposal</a> must explain: <ul> <li> why the chartered goals of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤③">Working Group</a> cannot be met without inclusion of the identified technology; <li> how the proposed licensing terms will be consistent with widespread adoption. </ul> The <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#pag-proposal" id="ref-for-pag-proposal①">PAG Proposal</a> must include: <ul> <li> a complete list of claims and licensing terms of the proposed alternative arrangements; and, <li> a proposed charter for the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤④">Working Group</a>, unless the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C①⑨">Recommendation</a> has been issued and no new work is required. </ul> If the Director determines that the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#pag-proposal" id="ref-for-pag-proposal②">PAG Proposal</a> is the best alternative consistent with the W3C mission, the interests of the Web community, and is clearly justified despite the expressed preference of the W3C Membership for RF licensing, then the PAG Proposal shall be circulated for public comment and <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#ACReview" id="ref-for-ACReview①">Advisory Committee review</a>. The Director may also circulate the PAG Proposal for Advisory Committee review without such endorsement. Should the PAG Proposal be rejected, then either sub-paragraph 4 or 5 of <a href="#sec-PAG-conclude-alternate">section 7.5.3</a> will apply as appropriate, without further action of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#AC" id="ref-for-AC①">Advisory Committee</a>. Members of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG" id="ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⑤">Working Group</a> who are bound to RF terms are not released from their obligations by virtue of the PAG Proposal alone. As with any newly chartered Working Group, new commitments must be made, along with possible exclusions. In order to expedite the process, the PAG Proposal should consider whether additional claims would be excluded under the new charter and include such information in the PAG Proposal. <h2 class="heading settled" data-level="8" id="def-essential">8. Definition of <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="essential-claims">Essential Claims</dfn><a class="self-link" href="#def-essential"></a></h2> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="8.1" id="def-essential-definition">8.1. Essential Claims<a class="self-link" href="#def-essential-definition"></a></h3> <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims③⑨">Essential Claims</a> shall mean all claims in any patent or patent application in any jurisdiction in the world that would necessarily be infringed by implementation of a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑥">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C②⓪">Recommendation</a>. A claim is necessarily infringed hereunder only when it is not possible to avoid infringing it because there is no non-infringing alternative for implementing the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#dfn-norm" id="ref-for-dfn-norm">normative</a> portions of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③③">Specification</a>. Existence of a non-infringing alternative shall be judged based on the state of the art at the time the first Patent Review Draft containing the relevant normative text was published. Where this text refers to <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims④⓪">Essential Claims</a> with respect to a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③④">Specification</a> that is neither a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑧">Patent Review Draft</a> nor a <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C②①">Recommendation</a>, it refers to claims that would be Essential Claims if that Specification were a Patent Review Draft or Recommendation. <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="8.2" id="def-essential-exclusions">8.2. Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims<a class="self-link" href="#def-essential-exclusions"></a></h3> The following are expressly excluded from and shall not be deemed to constitute <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims④②">Essential Claims</a>: <ol> <li> any claims other than as set forth above even if contained in the same patent as <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#essential-claims" id="ref-for-essential-claims④③">Essential Claims</a>; <li> claims which would be infringed only by: <ul> <li> portions of an implementation that are not specified in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#dfn-norm" id="ref-for-dfn-norm①">normative</a> portions of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft③⓪">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C②③">Recommendation</a>, or <li> enabling technologies that may be necessary to make or use any product or portion thereof that complies with the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑥">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C②④">Recommendation</a> and are not themselves expressly set forth in the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑥">Patent Review Draft</a> or Recommendation (e.g., semiconductor manufacturing technology, compiler technology, object-oriented technology, basic operating system technology, and the like), or <li> the implementation of technology developed elsewhere and merely incorporated by reference in the body of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#patent-review-draft" id="ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑥">Patent Review Draft</a> or <a data-link-type="dfn" href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C" id="ref-for-RecsW3C②⑥">Recommendation</a>; </ul> <li> design patents and design registrations. </ol> <h3 class="heading settled" data-level="8.3" id="def-essential-requirements">8.3. Definition of Normative, Optional and Informative<a class="self-link" href="#def-essential-requirements"></a></h3> For purposes of this definition, the <dfn class="dfn-paneled" data-dfn-type="dfn" data-noexport id="dfn-norm">normative</dfn> portions of the <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#specification" id="ref-for-specification③⑥">Specification</a> shall be deemed to include only architectural and interoperability requirements. Optional features in the RFC 2119 <a data-link-type="biblio" href="#biblio-rfc2119">[RFC2119]</a> sense are considered <a data-link-type="dfn" href="#dfn-norm" id="ref-for-dfn-norm②">normative</a> unless they are specifically identified as informative. Implementation examples or any other material that merely illustrate the requirements of the Specification are informative, rather than normative. <div data-fill-with="references"> <h2 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="references">References<a class="self-link" href="#references"></a></h2> <h3 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="normative">Normative References<a class="self-link" href="#normative"></a></h3> <dl> <dt id="biblio-process">[PROCESS] <dd><a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/">World Wide Web Consortium Process Document</a>. URL: <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/</a> <dt id="biblio-rfc2119">[RFC2119] <dd>S. Bradner. <a href="https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119">Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels</a>. March 1997. Best Current Practice. URL: <a href="https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119">https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119</a> </dl> </div> <h2 class="no-num heading settled" id="sec-acknowledgments"> Acknowledgments<a class="self-link" href="#sec-acknowledgments"></a></h2> W3C thanks those who have contributed to the 2020 update of the Patent Policy, including L. David Baron, Marc Sandy Block, Valentina Boyet, Michael Champion, Donald Deutsch, Sarah Dukmen, Elika J. Etemad, Michael Gelblum, Jeff Jaffe, Philippe Le Hégaret, Travis Leithead, Daniel Nazer, Ishna Neamatullah, Charles Nevile, Florian Rivoal, David Rudin, Wendy Seltzer, Michael Sirtori, Anna Weinberg, Rigo Wenning, Rob Yost, Jennifer Zanocco. We also thank those who gave input via the Patents and Standards Interest Group, Advisory Board, and Advisory Committee, and the <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy-20170801/#sec-acknowledgments">contributors to the previous version</a>. <div data-fill-with="index"> <h2 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="index">Index<a class="self-link" href="#index"></a></h2> <h3 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="index-defined-here">Terms defined by this specification<a class="self-link" href="#index-defined-here"></a></h3> <ul class="index"> <li><a href="#call-for-exclusion">Call for Exclusion</a>, in §4.5 <li><a href="#disclosure">Disclosure</a>, in §6.1 <li><a href="#disclosure-requests">Disclosure requests</a>, in §6.3 <li><a href="#disclosure-requirement">disclosure requirement</a>, in §6.1 <li><a href="#essential-claims">Essential Claims</a>, in §8 <li><a href="#exclusion-opportunity">Exclusion Opportunity</a>, in §4.1 <li><a href="#licensing-commitment">Licensing Commitment</a>, in §3.5 <li><a href="#dfn-norm">normative</a>, in §8.3 <li><a href="#patent-advisory-group">PAG</a>, in §7.1 <li><a href="#pag-proposal">PAG Proposal</a>, in §7.5.3 <li><a href="#participant">participant</a>, in §3.1 <li><a href="#patent-advisory-group">Patent Advisory Group</a>, in §7.1 <li><a href="#patent-review-draft">Patent Review Draft</a>, in §2 <li><a href="#def-RF">RF License</a>, in §5 <li><a href="#specification">Specification</a>, in §2 <li><a href="#def-RF">W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a>, in §5 <li><a href="#def-RF">W3C Royalty-Free license</a>, in §5 <li><a href="#def-RF">W3C Royalty-Free Licensing Requirements</a>, in §5 </ul> <h3 class="no-num no-ref heading settled" id="index-defined-elsewhere">Terms defined by reference<a class="self-link" href="#index-defined-elsewhere"></a></h3> <ul class="index"> <li> <a data-link-type="biblio">[PROCESS]</a> defines the following terms: <ul> <li>ac rep <li>advisory committee <li>advisory committee representative <li>advisory committee review <li>call for participation <li>candidate recommendation <li>consensus <li>first public working draft <li>invited expert <li>maturity level <li>member submission <li>member-only <li>patent review draft <li>recommendation <li>recommendation track <li>rescinded <li>w3c member submission <li>w3c recommendation <li>w3c technical report <li>w3c working group <li>working draft <li>working group <li>working group charter </ul> </ul> </div> <div data-fill-with="issues-index"></div> </main> <script src="https://www.w3.org/scripts/TR/2016/fixup.js"></script> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-advisory-committee-representative"> <a href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative">https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative">6.1. Disclosure Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative②">6.3. Disclosure Requests</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative③">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative④">7.3. PAG Composition</a> <a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative⑤">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-AC"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#AC">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#AC</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-AC">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-AC①">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-advisory-committee-representative"> <a href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative">https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#advisory-committee-representative</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative">6.1. Disclosure Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative②">6.3. Disclosure Requests</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative③">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative④">7.3. PAG Composition</a> <a href="#ref-for-advisory-committee-representative⑤">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-ACReview"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#ACReview">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#ACReview</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-ACReview">7.5.2. PAG Outcome</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-ACReview①">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <a href="#ref-for-ACReview②">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-cfp"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#cfp">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#cfp</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-cfp">3. Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-cfp①">6.8. Timing of Disclosure Obligations</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-RecsCR"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsCR">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsCR</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsCR">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-def-Consensus"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#def-Consensus">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#def-Consensus</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-Consensus">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-fpwd"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#fpwd">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#fpwd</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-fpwd">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <a href="#ref-for-fpwd①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-fpwd②">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-fpwd③">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-fpwd④">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-fpwd⑤">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-fpwd⑥">(3)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-invited-expert-wg"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#invited-expert-wg">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#invited-expert-wg</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-invited-expert-wg">3.4. Note on Licensing Commitments for Invited Experts</a> <a href="#ref-for-invited-expert-wg①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-invited-expert-wg②">6.10. Disclosure Obligations of Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-invited-expert-wg③">7.3. PAG Composition</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-maturity-levels"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#maturity-levels">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#maturity-levels</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-maturity-levels">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-MemberSubmission"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#MemberSubmission">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#MemberSubmission</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission③">(4)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-Member-only"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#Member-only">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#Member-only</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-Member-only">7.4.2. PAG Charter Requirements</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-patent-review-drafts"> <a href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#patent-review-drafts">https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#patent-review-drafts</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-drafts">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-RecsW3C"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C③">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑥">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑦">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑧">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑨">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⓪">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①③">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①④">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑤">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑥">(7)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑦">6.9. Termination of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑧">7.2. PAG Formation After a Recommendation Is Issued</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑨">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②⓪">8.1. Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②③">8.2. Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②⑥">(4)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-rec-track"> <a href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#rec-track">https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#rec-track</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-rec-track">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-rec-rescind"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#rec-rescind">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#rec-rescind</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-rec-rescind">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-rec-rescind①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-rec-rescind②">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-MemberSubmission"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#MemberSubmission">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#MemberSubmission</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-MemberSubmission③">(4)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-RecsW3C"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsW3C</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C③">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑥">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑦">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑧">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C⑨">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⓪">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①③">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①④">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑤">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑥">(7)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑦">6.9. Termination of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑧">7.2. PAG Formation After a Recommendation Is Issued</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C①⑨">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②⓪">8.1. Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②③">8.2. Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsW3C②⑥">(4)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-technical-report"> <a href="https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#technical-report">https://w3c.github.io/w3process/#technical-report</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-technical-report">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-GroupsWG"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG">1. Overview</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④">3. Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑥">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑦">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑧">3.2. Limitation on Licensing Requirement for Non-Participating Members</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑨">3.4. Note on Licensing Commitments for Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⓪">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①②">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①④">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑤">4. Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑥">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑦">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑨">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⓪">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②①">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②②">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②④">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑤">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑥">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑦">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑨">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⓪">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③②">6.4. Disclosure Contents</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③③">6.6. Disclosure of Pending, Unpublished Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③④">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑤">6.9. Termination of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑥">6.10. Disclosure Obligations of Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑦">6.11. Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑧">7.1. PAG Formation</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑨">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⓪">7.3. PAG Composition</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④③">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④④">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑤">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑥">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑦">7.4.2. PAG Charter Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑨">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⓪">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤③">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⑥">(4)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-RecsWD"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#RecsWD</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsWD">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsWD①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-RecsWD②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsWD③">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsWD④">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-RecsWD⑤">6.11. Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-GroupsWG"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#GroupsWG</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG">1. Overview</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④">3. Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑥">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑦">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑧">3.2. Limitation on Licensing Requirement for Non-Participating Members</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑨">3.4. Note on Licensing Commitments for Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⓪">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①②">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①④">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑤">4. Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑥">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑦">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG①⑨">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⓪">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②①">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②②">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②④">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑤">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑥">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑦">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG②⑨">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⓪">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③②">6.4. Disclosure Contents</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③③">6.6. Disclosure of Pending, Unpublished Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③④">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑤">6.9. Termination of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑥">6.10. Disclosure Obligations of Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑦">6.11. Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑧">7.1. PAG Formation</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG③⑨">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⓪">7.3. PAG Composition</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④③">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④④">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑤">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑥">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑦">7.4.2. PAG Charter Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG④⑨">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⓪">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤③">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-GroupsWG⑤⑥">(4)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="term-for-WGCharter"> <a href="https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#WGCharter">https://www.w3.org/policies/process/#WGCharter</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-WGCharter">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-WGCharter①">3. Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-WGCharter②">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-WGCharter③">7.1. PAG Formation</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="specification"> <a href="#specification">#specification</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification">1. Overview</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification④">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification⑤">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification⑥">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification⑦">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification⑧">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification⑨">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①⓪">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①①">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification①②">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①③">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification①④">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①⑤">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①⑥">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification①⑦">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification①⑧">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification①⑨">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②⓪">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification②①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②②">6.1. Disclosure Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②③">6.3. Disclosure Requests</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification②④">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②⑤">6.4. Disclosure Contents</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②⑥">6.5. Disclosure of Laid-Open or Published Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②⑦">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②⑧">6.11. Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification②⑨">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification③⓪">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification③①">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification③②">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification③③">8.1. Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification③④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification③⑤">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-specification③⑥">8.3. Definition of Normative, Optional and Informative</a> <a href="#ref-for-specification③⑦">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="patent-review-draft"> <a href="#patent-review-draft">#patent-review-draft</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft④">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft⑤">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft⑥">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft⑦">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft⑧">(7)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft⑨">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①⓪">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①①">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①②">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①③">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑥">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑦">(5)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑧">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft①⑨">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②⓪">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②①">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②②">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②③">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②④">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑤">(7)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑥">8.1. Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑦">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑧">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft②⑨">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-review-draft③⓪">8.2. Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="participant"> <a href="#participant">#participant</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant">1. Overview</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant①">3. Licensing Obligations of Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant②">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant④">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant⑤">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant⑥">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant⑦">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant⑧">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant⑨">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①⓪">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①①">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant①②">4. Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant①③">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①⑤">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①⑥">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant①⑦">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant①⑨">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②⓪">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②①">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②②">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②③">(7)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②④">(8)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②⑤">(9)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②⑥">(10)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②⑦">(11)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant②⑧">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant②⑨">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-participant③⓪">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant③①">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant③②">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant③③">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-participant③④">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="licensing-commitment"> <a href="#licensing-commitment">#licensing-commitment</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment①">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment②">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment③">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment④">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment⑤">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-licensing-commitment⑥">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="exclusion-opportunity"> <a href="#exclusion-opportunity">#exclusion-opportunity</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity①">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity②">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity③">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity④">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity⑤">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-exclusion-opportunity⑥">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="call-for-exclusion"> <a href="#call-for-exclusion">#call-for-exclusion</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-call-for-exclusion">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-call-for-exclusion①">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-call-for-exclusion②">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <a href="#ref-for-call-for-exclusion③">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="def-RF"> <a href="#def-RF">#def-RF</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF">1. Overview</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF①">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF②">3.3. Licensing Commitments in W3C Submissions</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF③">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF④">4. Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF⑤">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF⑥">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-def-RF⑦">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF⑧">6.2. Disclosure Exemption</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF⑨">7.1. PAG Formation</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF①⓪">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-def-RF①①">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="disclosure"> <a href="#disclosure">#disclosure</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure">1. Overview</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure②">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure③">6.1. Disclosure Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure④">6.2. Disclosure Exemption</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure⑤">6.4. Disclosure Contents</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure⑥">6.5. Disclosure of Laid-Open or Published Applications</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure⑦">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure⑧">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure⑨">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①⓪">6.8. Timing of Disclosure Obligations</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure①①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure①②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①③">6.9. Termination of Disclosure Obligations</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①④">6.10. Disclosure Obligations of Invited Experts</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①⑤">6.11. Disclosures to Be Publicly Available on Recommendation Track</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①⑥">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure①⑦">7.4.2. PAG Charter Requirements</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="disclosure-requirement"> <a href="#disclosure-requirement">#disclosure-requirement</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requirement">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="disclosure-requests"> <a href="#disclosure-requests">#disclosure-requests</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requests">6.1. Disclosure Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requests①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requests②">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requests③">6.3. Disclosure Requests</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requests④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-disclosure-requests⑤">(3)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="patent-advisory-group"> <a href="#patent-advisory-group">#patent-advisory-group</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group">7.1. PAG Formation</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group③">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group④">7.2. PAG Formation After a Recommendation Is Issued</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑤">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑥">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑦">7.3. PAG Composition</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑧">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group⑨">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⓪">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①①">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①②">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①③">(7)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①④">(8)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⑤">(9)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⑥">7.4.1. PAG Formation Timing</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⑦">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⑧">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group①⑨">(4)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⓪">7.4.2. PAG Charter Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②③">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②④">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑤">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑥">(7)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑦">(8)</a> <a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑧">(9)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group②⑨">7.5.1. Possible PAG Conclusions</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-patent-advisory-group③⓪">7.5.2. PAG Outcome</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="pag-proposal"> <a href="#pag-proposal">#pag-proposal</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal">7.5.3. Procedure for Considering Alternate Licensing Terms</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal①">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal②">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal③">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal④">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal⑤">(6)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal⑥">(7)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal⑦">(8)</a> <a href="#ref-for-pag-proposal⑧">(9)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="essential-claims"> <a href="#essential-claims">#essential-claims</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims">1. Overview</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①">2. Licensing Goals for W3C Specifications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②">3.1. W3C RF Licensing Requirements for All Working Group Participants</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims④">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims⑤">3.5. Specification Licensing Commitments</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims⑥">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims⑦">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims⑧">3.6. Licensing Commitment Persistence</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims⑨">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①⓪">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①①">4. Exclusion From W3C RF Licensing Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①②">4.1. Exclusion With Continued Participation</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①③">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①④">(3)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①⑤">(4)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①⑥">(5)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①⑦">(6)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①⑧">4.2. Exclusion and Resignation From the Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims①⑨">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②⓪">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②①">4.3. Joining an Already Established Working Group</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②②">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②③">4.4. Exclusion Procedures for Pending, Unpublished Patent Applications</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②④">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②⑤">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②⑥">4.5. Exclusion Mechanics</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②⑦">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②⑧">5. W3C Royalty-Free (RF) Licensing Requirements</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims②⑨">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③⓪">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③①">6.1. Disclosure Requirements</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③②">6.2. Disclosure Exemption</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③③">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③④">6.3. Disclosure Requests</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③⑤">6.5. Disclosure of Laid-Open or Published Applications</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③⑥">6.7. Good Faith Disclosure Standards</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③⑦">7.2. PAG Formation After a Recommendation Is Issued</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③⑧">(2)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims③⑨">8.1. Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims④⓪">(2)</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims④①">(3)</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-essential-claims④②">8.2. Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims</a> <a href="#ref-for-essential-claims④③">(2)</a> </ul> </aside> <aside class="dfn-panel" data-for="dfn-norm"> <a href="#dfn-norm">#dfn-norm</a>Referenced in: <ul> <li><a href="#ref-for-dfn-norm">8.1. Essential Claims</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-dfn-norm①">8.2. Limitations on the Scope of Definition of Essential Claims</a> <li><a href="#ref-for-dfn-norm②">8.3. 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