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Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2015 16:37:21 -0400
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Subject: Re: Short form IP clearance
From: Sam Ruby <rubys@intertwingly.net>
To: general@incubator.apache.org
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On Wed, Oct 21, 2015 at 3:22 PM, Greg Stein <gstein@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> On the following page:
>   http://incubator.apache.org/ip-clearance/ip-clearance-template.html
>
> The process steps do not align with the intent described in the Preamble,
> and some steps are not required. Specifically, steps 5, 7, and 8.
>
> Step 5: the code will be imported *somewhere*; there is no reason for it to
> be duplicated into the Incubator repository. The ASF simply requires
> paperwork to acknowledge the propriety of that import, wherever it may be.
> There isn't even a reason for a checksum.
>
> Step 7: the Incubator has no prerogative over what the VP of an Apache
> project does (or other Officers, for that matter). If a TLP wants some
> code, then they can do so. And the representative of that TLP (the VP, an
> Officer) is the one taking responsibility for their actions. The Incubator
> has been a recording area, but that doesn't give it discretion over other
> projects.
> [ IMO, the recording should go somewhere identified by VP Legal Affairs,
> and be entirely disconnected from the Incubator ]

Just some historical perspective (from the previous VP Legal Affairs,
though this predates my having that role), IP clearance is something
that is rarely done on a PMC level so it is something that most
individual PMCs don't have much experience with; at a foundation level
it is done frequently and primarily by the incubator.  Hence the VP of
Legal Affairs (my predecessor and then unchanged by myself) designated
that the Incubator have this role.

> Step 8: moot, once (7) is removed.
>
> I'd like to modify the steps to reflect the above points.
>
> Thoughts?

As far as I can tell, it has been working without issue, where lazy
consensus is key to making it work smoothly.  So I'm -1 on fixing
something that isn't broke.

Of course, as you say, the current VP of Legal Affairs could decide
that to change any of this; but I personally would see that at
variance with statements like "I have no desire to diminish the trust
we provide."

> Cheers,
> -g

- Sam Ruby

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