Welcome!

The purpose of this open forum is to discuss some of the issues raised by the EU Commission in its white paper “Modernising ICT Standardisation in the EU”.

First of all, I invite comments on the following introductory remarks to the right.

In its White Paper the EU Commission raises several important questions: What attributes should informal standardization processes and ICT standards have to be recognized and referred to in EU legislation and public procurement? Should the EU impose certain requirements and regulation on licensing and disclosure of patents in the standardization process? How can the expertise and interest of different stakeholder be taken into account in European ICT standardization?

I would like to ask for comments and input on three questions relating to these issues:

1)  The Commission is proposing two lists of attributes, one for standardization processes and one for standards, as requirements for standards to be referred to in EU legislation and public procurement. Are these lists well composed and relevant?

2)  The Commission is suggesting that SSOs should be required to have an IPR policy but leaves it open what that policy would include. Is this level of intervention optimal or should the European Union try to impose more or less restrictions?

3)  The Commission is suggesting a European forum for regular consultation with stakeholders in ICT standardization. Is this an effective way to increase coordination in Europe and globally?

With this said, I would like to open this forum for further debate and discussion.

Mattias Ganslandt