So because I know of IPR that someone else has and is not disclosing and because I cannot legally disclose it - I can't continue to participate in the discussion doesn't seem right. I'm not the holder of the IPR that isn't being disclosed, but I'm penalized. Geoff Geoff Mulligan | Presidential Innovation Fellow | Cyber Physical Systems | 301.975.6283 ________________________________________ From: Jari Arkko <jari.arkko@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 11:02 AM To: Mulligan, Geoff Cc: IETF WG Chairs; ietf@xxxxxxxx Mailing List Subject: Third party disclosures and NDAs (Re: Problem with new Note Well ) Starting a separate thread, because this is not related to the original complaint about inaccurate new note well text. > Maybe this is a potential rat-hole - I don't know - but what if: > - I'm working as a consultant and attending the IETF representing myself > - I know of IPR in someone else's contribution > - I'm participating in the discussion > - I'm under an NDA with that company that covers their IPR That is a rat-^H^H^H^Hhard problem. Something has to give. You can't simultaneously follow two incompatible sets of rules. If you end up in that situation and can't convince parties to disclose, maybe "participating in the discussion" has to give. Of course this is a specific example of things that can happen in people's lives in other ways, too. Two consulting contracts that have incompatible requirements. Board position and a job that creates a conflict interest for you to be in the board. And so on. Jari