W3C Intellectual Property FAQ

The aim of the intellectual property policies of the W3C is twofold:

1. To encourage the wide spread dissemination of W3C work.
2. To eliminate confusion about the source and status of W3C work and to preclude the innocent or criminal infringement of our own and others' interests.

This document answers several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about W3C work. This document is not legally binding nor does it constitute legal advice.

1. Which statements apply to specifications, Web pages, and software?

IPR Notice and Dislaimers

General web site copyright, trademark, and legal disclaimer statements.

Document Notice

Information on reproducing W3C work including notes, submissions, recommendations, proposed working recommendations, working drafts and documentation.

Software Notice

Information on using and modifying W3C software.

2. Who holds the copyright on W3C documents?

The original author of the document. Many documents are created by the W3C and we consequently hold the copyright. Owners who allow their works to be published on the W3C site retain the copyright, but agree to the W3C license for the redistribution of those materials from our site.

3. What is the STATUS of a W3C document?

The STATUS of a W3C document is very important. It details its purpose,  how the document was created or received, whether we are allocating resources to an activity related to the document, whether we have editorial control over the document, and how it may be referenced by other activities or documents. We disapprove and will act upon the misrepresentation of of our work with respect to authorship, endorsement, or status.

4. W3C Documents

As documented, W3C documents can be redistributed or republished on the condition that you provide information so that others can easily find the original document, that you provide notice of the W3C's copyright, and that if the document has a "STATUS" section, you reproduce it.

4.1 I am a teacher, can I print out specifications and other documents for my class to read?

Yes. Fortunately most programs include the source URL when printing a document. You should also inform the class of the documents' copyright notice.

4.2 I have a Web site that mirrors useful Web documents, can I make copies of your documents and serve them from my site?

Yes, provided that you clearly represent the status of the document and that the canonical version of the document can only be found on the W3C site. You should feel free to reference this FAQ or our other legal notices to make this representation clear.

4.3 I am a writer and would like to make a "fair use" excerpt from a specification for my analysis, what do I have to do?

In the reference (footnote or bibliographic entry) to the document you should include a URL to the original document, and be very clear about the intellectual property rights and STATUS of the document.

4.4 I am a publisher and would like to publish a book that includes some of your specifications, what should I do?

You must include a link or URL to the original W3C document, its status and its copyright notice. Also, you should provide at least one instance of the full text of our document copyright notice. 

4.5 I really like the HTML 3.2 specification, but would like to make some changes, may I modify the 3.2 specification in a few places and redistribute it? May I call it HTML 3.2.1?

No and no.

5. W3C Software

As documented, W3C software can be modified and redistributed provided that you provide a link to the original source, and that you respect the intellectual property, and trademarks of its originator.

5.1 I am a software publisher and would like to release some of your software on a CD-ROM I am creating, may I? May I charge for it?

Yes, provided you follow the terms and conditions included in the software.

5.2 I really like Amaya, but would like to modify it, can I make the changes and re-release it?

Yes, we want people to experiment with and improve our software. If you make changes for the better, we encourage you to contact its authors. You may not make changes and continue to call it by a trademarked term or misrepresent the origin, capabilities, or liabilities associated with its use.

___________________

Other questions about W3C policies should be directed to site-policy@w3.org .