On Mon, 18 Oct 2004, Michael Richardson wrote: > >> Obviously, there is a problem if a patent claims to invent > >> something commonplace such as 'xml', and grants its use only for > >> the purpose of IETF standards or a specific standard. But I'm > >> not sure if I recall something like that. This is a question of licensing and particularly the wording and limitations imposed by the license. Hypothetically, it could go either way. You would only be permitted to do what the license permits. If the license specifically only permits use of the technology for SIP, then you can't use the patented technology for something else, because "something else" is not permitted, assuming the language of the license was very restrictive. The trick is the specification of the permissions in the license. The answer depends on the license wording. Sometimes even restrictive licenses leave loopholes. Sometimes not. That's why we have lawyers. --Dean -- Av8 Internet Prepared to pay a premium for better service? www.av8.net faster, more reliable, better service 617 344 9000 _______________________________________________ Ietf@xxxxxxxx https://www1.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ietf