Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group Charter (DNT PAG)

This charter is written in accordance with the W3C Patent Policy (PP).

Table of Contents

• 1 Goals
• 2 Scope
• 3 Deliverable
• 4 Duration
• 5 Confidentiality
• 6 Participation, meetings, and logistics
  • 6.1 Participation
  • 6.2 Communications
  • 6.3 Group home page
  • 6.4 Meetings
• 7 About this charter

1 Goals

The Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group is a Patent Advisory Group (PAG) as defined by the W3C Patent Policy (PP).

The mission of this Patent Advisory Group is to study issues and propose solutions related to the Tracking Preference Expression Working Draft. An outside party (who is contributing postings to the Working Group mailing list) has been alerting articipants in the Working Group about his US Patent Nr. 8,156,206. Some of these communications were at time disruptive to the conversations of the Working Group, and have been the reason for serious concern among participants in the Working Group.

This PAG is started in accordance to Section 7.1 (PAG Formation) of the Patent Policy and in accordance with the Procedures for Launching and Operating a Patent Advisory Group.

2 Scope

The DNT PAG has the scope to:

• explore ways to obtain an RF licensing commitment from the current owner of US 8,156,206 so that the W3C RF Patent Policy Requirements are met.
• seek prior art that may apply to the notion of sending messages via HTTP-headers
• discuss ways to design around patent US 8,156,206
• create a PAG report with recommendations for the W3C Director
• if necessary, request an analysis of the claim by a W3C patent counsel. This analysis will only be made if there are sufficient funds for that purpose be made available via the Web Legal Support Fund.

3 Deliverable

The PAG ends with a PAG report to the W3C Director containing a recommendation. The recommendations have to be chosen among the options in section 7.5.1 of the Patent Policy:

1. The initial concern has been resolved, enabling the Working Group to continue.
2. The Working Group should be instructed to consider designing around the identified claims.
3. The Team should seek further information and evaluation, including and not limited to evaluation of the patents in question or the terms under which W3C RF licensing requirements may be met.
4. The Working Group should be terminated.
5. The Recommendation (if it has already been issued) should be rescinded.
6. Alternative licensing terms should be considered. The procedure in section 7.5.3 must be followed.

4 Duration

The Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group is chartered through 31 October 2012. The PAG can be extended by the Director.

Per Director's Decision of 15 November 2012 (W3C member-confidential document), the Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group is extended until 31 January 2013.

Per Director's Decision of 12 February 2013 (W3C member-confidential document), the Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group is extended until 30 June 2013.

Per Director's Decision of 9 August 2013 (W3C member-confidential document), the Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group is extended until 31 December 2013.

Per Director's Decision, the Tracking Preference Expression Patent Advisory Group is extended until 31 December 2015.

5 Confidentiality

All communications of the DNT PAG, the mailing list archives and the minutes of telephone conferences are W3C Member confidential.

This charter, the PAG report to the Director as well as an eventual document on prior art will be public. At regular intervals, the PAG should also provide status updates to the public.

6 Participation, meetings, and logistics

6.1 Participation

In accordance with section 7.3 of the W3C Patent Policy, this PAG is composed of:

Advisory Committee Representatives of each Member participating in the Tracking Protection WG

A full list of Members participating in the Tracking Protection Working Group is available.

W3C Team contacts for the Tracking Protection Working Group

Nick Doty

W3C Technology and Society Domain Leader

Wendy Seltzer

W3C counsel and PAG Chair

Rigo Wenning

Chairs of the Tracking Protection Working Group

Matthias Schunter, Carl Cargill, Justin Brookman

Others suggested by the Working Group Chairs and/or the Team with the approval of the Director

Advisory Committee Representatives of Members participating in the Tracking Protection Working Group must register for the PAG or will be put on the PAG by the Team. An Advisory Committee Representative who is unable to participate should designate an alternate. Each Advisory Committee Representative may also designate a second individual (usually legal counsel) to participate in the PAG.

DNT PAG participation (attending meetings, following the mailing list) is expected to require half a day per week per participant.

6.2 Communications

The DNT PAG conducts its discussion on a member readable mailing list, member-dnt-pag.

6.3 Group home page

The DNT PAG has a member accessible home page.

6.4 Meetings

The DNT PAG conducts its work through mailing-list discussions and teleconferences. The PAG can decide to have one face-to-face meeting.

Participation in teleconferences or face-to-face meetings is limited to the participants of the PAG as described by the Patent Policy. The chair may invite individuals to specific meeting at his discretion.

7 About this charter

This PAG charter has been drafted according to the Procedures for Launching and Operating a Patent Advisory Group (PAG).

This PAG charter has been edited on 13 January 2013 to reflect the group's charter extension and the change in TPWG co-chairs.

This PAG charter has been edited on 12 February 2013 to reflect the group's charter extension.

This PAG charter has been edited on 9 August 2013 to reflect the group's charter extension.

This PAG charter has been edited on 2 April 2015 to reflect the group's charter extension and staff changes.