Re: Contributing To The WAI GitHub Repo

Jim,

This is so that the working group knows that you agree to the terms of the patent policy for the contributions you make that could have licensing implications or carry IPR.

For example, let’s say someone sees a technical specification in development, and:

  1.  Notices that they have a patent granted on something closely related
  2.  Proposes a change that would mean anyone implementing the specification would need to have a licence to use the patented technology
  3.  Has that change accepted into the specification when it becomes a Recommendation

I’m not a lawyer, but my understanding is that he legal agreements for joining the WG provide protections against you then seeking royalties from implementers.

It’s a really important part of the W3C that its Recommendations can be implemented by anyone without additional IPR-related costs.

Kind regards,

Nigel


From: Jim Homme <jhomme@benderconsult.com>
Date: Friday, 20 June 2025 at 15:11
To: "Wai Interest Group (w3c-wai-ig@w3.org)" <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Subject: Contributing To The WAI GitHub Repo
Resent from: <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Resent date: Friday, 20 June 2025 at 15:05


External: Think before clicking
Hi,
Would someone please help me understand this part of the contributing document, which says “To make substantive contributions to specifications, you must either participate in the relevant W3C Working Group or make a non-member patent licensing commitment.”

Thanks.

Jim