RFC 2026 Internet Standards Process October 1996 5. Best Current Practice (BCP) RFCs...............................15 5.1 BCP Review Process..........................................16 6. THE INTERNET STANDARDS PROCESS.................................17 6.1 Standards Actions...........................................17 6.1.1 Initiation of Action....................................17 6.1.2 IESG Review and Approval................................17 6.1.3 Publication.............................................18 6.2 Advancing in the Standards Track............................19 6.3 Revising a Standard.........................................20 6.4 Retiring a Standard.........................................20 6.5 Conflict Resolution and Appeals.............................21 6.5.1 Working Group Disputes...................................21 6.5.2 Process Failures.........................................22 6.5.3 Questions of Applicable Procedure........................22 6.5.4 Appeals Procedure........................................23 7. EXTERNAL STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS..........................23 7.1 Use of External Specifications..............................24 7.1.1 Incorporation of an Open Standard.......................24 7.1.2 Incorporation of a Other Specifications.................24 7.1.3 Assumption..............................................25 8. NOTICES AND RECORD KEEPING......................................25 9. VARYING THE PROCESS.............................................26 9.1 The Variance Procedure.......................................26 9.2 Exclusions...................................................27 10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS..................................27 10.1. General Policy............................................27 10.2 Confidentiality Obligations...............................28 10.3. Rights and Permissions....................................28 10.3.1. All Contributions......................................28 10.3.2. Standards Track Documents..............................29 10.3.3 Determination of Reasonable and Non-discriminatory Terms................................30 10.4. Notices...................................................30 11. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................32 12. SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS........................................32 13. REFERENCES.....................................................33 14. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS...........................................33 15. AUTHOR'S ADDRESS...............................................34 APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS...................................35 Bradner Best Current Practice