W3C Patent Policy

Latest published version:

https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/

Current Version:

https://www.w3.org/policies/patent-policy/20200915/

Previous Versions:

https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy-20170801/

https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy-20040205/

Abstract

W3C operates under a royalty-free patent policy by which participants in standards development make commitments to license their standards-essential patents royalty-free to implementers and users of the W3C specifications.

W3C Patent Policy History

In February 2004, W3C adopted a Royalty-Free Patent Policy to enable continued innovation and widespread adoption of Web standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C Patent Policy is designed to:

• Facilitate the development of W3C Recommendations by W3C Working Groups;
• Promote the widespread implementation of those Recommendations on a Royalty-Free (RF) basis;
• Address issues related to patents that arise during and after the development of a Recommendation.

On 15 September, 2020, W3C adopted an updated version, the 15 September 2020 Patent Policy. The 2020 update supports patent protection at earlier Candidate phases of development, supporting unencumbered implementation and use even as specifications continue to evolve.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the current Patent Policy are currently under development.

Historical references

The following resources were developed for the 2004 Patent Policy:

• Patent Policy FAQ
• Policy Summary
• Business Benefits

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