Help with Apple's SSM IPR claim

[Bill Fenner <fenner@research.att.com>]

http://www.ietf.org/ietf/IPR/APPLE-SSM.txt

Apparently Stuart realized a patent that Apple had could apply to
SSM, so had them file an IPR disclosure.  Now one WG participant,
and the chairs, are worried about moving SSM forward on the
standards track if Apple won't promise royalty-free licensing.

Hugh Holbrook, one of the WG chairs, asked:
>If we put this forward as a standard with the current IPR statement as
>it stands, do you have any idea what is likely to happen?
>
>Pekka told me he would oppose it going forward as an IETF standards
>document unless Apple changes their disclosure to include Royalty-Free
>licensing, and I'm sure there are others in the same camp.  Maybe even me.

My impression is that the answer to the first question would be that
we would make sure the IPR boilerplate was present in the RFC and
nothing more.

Further questions from Hugh:
>Is there any policy or precedent for giving an ultimatum to a
>company to demand RF licensing or we kill the standard?  And if so,
>who has the authority to do this?  Me?  The IESG?  The IAB?

As far as I know, all we have the authority to do is ask for a
statement.  On the other hand, the WG chair has the *ability* to
give an ultimatum by not forwarding the document.  I dunno about
*authority*.

Any thoughts from those who know more about IPR?

Thanks,
  Bill