Renowned Open Source Lawyer, expert speaker and author, Andrew Katz has co-authored a chapter in the newly published book, entitled Corporate and Global Standardization Initiatives in Contemporary Society.

In Chapter ten, Andrew Katz, along with co-authors Björn Lundell (University of Skövde, Sweden), Jonas Gamalielsson (University of Skövde, Sweden) address some of the challenges for implementing ISO standards in software, requiring effective policy and strategic initiatives and answering the question can both open and closed standards be implemented in Open Source software?

Formal (e.g., ISO) standards are often referred to in software development and procurement. The chapter considers to what extent ISO standards can be implemented in open source software, with particular reference to patent licensing. It is shown that FRAND commitments may impose major challenges for use of such standards. Further, standards setting organisations (SSOs) have policies and procedures concerning the notification of standards-essential patents (SEPs) , and those practices and procedures present challenges for organisations wishing to implement standards in software.

Andrew Katz, Moorcrofts CEO and technology partner and co-author, said:

“Openness including open standards and open source software is increasingly prevalent. Use of formal standards may create barriers for implementation in open source software and inhibit an open and inclusive business-friendly ecosystem. Within the chapter we have elaborated on the implications and suggested ways of addressing the challenges identified.”

Prior to becoming a Lawyer, Andrew Katz, was a software engineer and developer, releasing software under the GPL. Now Moorcrofts CEO and technology partner, Andrew has practised technology law for 24 years. In that time, he has become one of the UK’s leading free and open source software lawyers, is a Fellow of the Free Software Foundation Europe and a Fellow of the Open Forum Academy, and visiting lecturer on Free and Open Source Software at Queen Mary, University of London and a visiting researcher at the University of Skövde, Sweden. He has lectured on free and open source software and open hardware and data issues in London, Paris, New York, Boston, Dubai, Seoul, Helsinki, Stockholm, Mangalia (Romania), Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge. He also handles complex cloud computing and project agreements, including complex data protection issues and has more recently been involved in the rapidly expanding fields of open data and open hardware.

Overall, the book ‘Corporate and Global Standardization Initiatives in Contemporary Society’ is a critical scholarly resource that examines standardization in organizations. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics, such as business standards, information technology standards, and mobile communications, this book is geared towards professionals, students, and researchers seeking current research on standardization for diverse settings and applications.

The book is available as a hardcover book and E-book at the books publishers, IGI Global:
https://www.igi-global.com/book/corporate-global-standardization-initiatives-contemporary/188331?f=hardcover
https://www.igi-global.com/book/corporate-global-standardization-initiatives-contemporary/188331?f=e-book
Individual chapters are also available and can be purchased separately if desired:
https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/on-challenges-for-implementing-iso-standards-in-software/197467