[rfc-i] issue: canonical formats

[SM]

At 00:41 02-06-2012, Brian E Carpenter wrote:
>This is why a canonical presentation format is needed, for IPR *or*
>contract disputes.

I would look at it in terms of which document is 
normative.  According to the RFC Editor, the normative copy of RFC 
1035 is at http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1035.txt  If there is a 
discrepancy between rfc1035.txt.pdf and rfc1035.txt, rfc1035.txt can 
be used to settle the dispute.

The normative copy could be described as the document which is 
maintained as a copy which is unique, identifiable and unalterable 
without detection.  Basically, you get to say that:

  (a) This is RFC 1035

  (b) It was published in November 1987

  (c) The document you are looking at is the same as the one published
      in November 1987.

You don't have to say why:

  (i)   Labels must be 63 characters or less

  (ii)  Names are 255 octets or less

  (iii) What is a name

(a), (b) and (c) are important if you stand to make or lose a lot of 
money.  (i), (ii) and (iii) may be important if you consider it as 
important to win an argument about such questions.

Regards,
-sm

P.S. This message is not important.