Annex D: USNC Policy

Approved by USNC Council e-Ballot 43 on 23 September 2011

General

IEC Standards and related working documents, such as technical publications, guides, advisory committee documents, working drafts, committee drafts, and final drafts (hereinafter “Working Documents”) are protected by IEC copyright. Under circumstances described in this policy, IEC Standards and Working Documents may be provided to authorized TAG Members and certain third parties free of charge for use in standards development activities. Such documents remain copyright protected, however, and continue to be subject to certain other copying and redistribution limitations.

Copies of IEC Standards and Working Documents for Use by TAG Members

IEC Standards and/or Working Documents provided under this policy shall be used by the USNC, its members, the members of the USNC TAG, TAs, Deputy TAs, USNC Experts, TAG Secretary, and others specifically identified by the TAG Secretary (“Authorized TAG Members”) exclusively in the formation of USNC positions on the development, national implementation, or maintenance of IEC Standards.

Authorized TAG Members needing free copies of IEC Standards or Working Documents should obtain permission from the TAG Secretary for the subject USNC TAG.

A TAG Secretary may grant a request by Authorized TAG Members for free copies of IEC Standards or Working Documents in circumstances where such Authorized TAG Member has demonstrated a direct need for such documents in connection with the standards development, implementation, or maintenance activities of a USNC TAG. In making that determination the TAG Secretary may consult with the Technical Advisor (TA) or the Office of the UNSC General Secretary.

Authorized TAG Members who have been provided free copies of IEC Standards or Working Documents under this policy shall take reasonable steps to ensure that such documents are not further disseminated outside of the USNC TAG and shall neither post the documents on public servers nor make them available to groups of non-TAG members.

Authorized TAG Members who have been provided free copies of IEC Standards or Working Documents may share such documents with individuals within their companies for the purposes of defining company positions and representations to other TAG members.

Subject to the provisions of this policy, free copies of IEC Standards or Working Documents furnished to Authorized TAG Members may be provided in an editable format which may be copied and modified by the Authorized TAG Member as needed.

Copies of IEC Standards and Working Documents for Use by Certain Third Parties outside the TAG

On a limited-exception basis, and within the sole discretion of the TAG Secretary, particular IEC Standards or Working Documents may be shared with parties outside the TAG if such disclosure is required to ensure that the necessary expertise (representing broad U.S. interests) will be used in formulating decisions necessary to the standards development, implementation, or maintenance activities of a USNC TAG. If TAG Secretary determines that such disclosure is necessary, he/she shall provide a single copy of the relevant document to such third party who shall have no rights to further copy or distribute such document.

Watermarking of All Documents Made Available to Authorized TAG Members or Third Parties

Whether made available in electronic or hard-copy format, all documents made available under this policy shall either be “watermarked” with the appropriate copyright statement in accordance with Attachment “A” or be accompanied by a cover page that includes the appropriate copyright statement. In either case, a typical “copyright” notice shall be placed in the document.

Announcements

These policies are to be announced broadly to the USNC’s constituency and will be included in the USNC’s Statutes and Rules of Procedure and the Model USNC TAG Operating Procedures.

ATTACHMENT A (TO ANNEX D)

REQUIRED STATEMENT FOR INCLUSION ON IEC STANDARDS OR WORKING DOCUMENTS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR USE IN USNC TAG STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

“All IEC Standards and Working Documents are copyrighted by the IEC. This copy, without regard to its form or media, whether a complete copy of an IEC Standard or Working Document or extracted portions from an IEC Standard or Working Document, retains all IEC copyrights. The conveyance of this copy does not affect IEC copyrights or transfer any copyrights. This copy is for the exclusive use by the recipient only in the development of USNC position(s) on the development, evaluation, use, or maintenance (including adoption by U.S. Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs)) of this or other IEC publications. No other use is authorized. No further copying, distribution, or use of this document is authorized. Possession by others is not authorized. This document may not be used for commercial purposes.”