[FFmpeg-devel] [RFC] clarifying the TC conflict of interest rule

[Anton Khirnov]

Quoting Gyan Doshi (2024-02-20 11:01:15)
> 
> 
> On 2024-02-20 02:20 pm, Anton Khirnov wrote:
> > So IMO the only case that needs to be excluded is 6) - an actual
> > conflict of interest. I therefore propose the following wording changes:
> >
> > --- a/doc/community.texi
> > +++ b/doc/community.texi
> > -If the disagreement involves a member of the TC, that member should recuse themselves from the decision.
> >
> > + Each TC member must vote on such decision according to what is, in their
> > + view, best for the project. If a TC member is affected by a conflict of
> > + interest with regards to the case, they must announce it and recuse
> > + themselves from the TC discussion and vote. A conflict of interest is
> > + presumed to occur when a TC member has a personal interest (e.g.
> > + financial) in a specific outcome of the case.
> 
> 1) besides financial interest, what are some other types of 'personal 
> interest in a specific outcome of the case'?

The intent is cover all cases where a TC member has substantial
motivation that conflicts with choosing what is best for the project.

Besides money, it could be non-monetary compensation (gifts, promotions,
favors, etc.), or maybe your best friend won't speak to your for a week
if you don't vote for their preferred outcome, and so on. I'm sure
someone can think of other examples.

If you think my wording can be improved, feel welcome to suggest changes
to it, or propose an alternative one and the GA will decide.

> 2) the proposed wording says, 'they must announce it and recuse
> themselves'. That makes it seem that if a member does not self-attest
> or admit to a conflict of interest, then they cannot be stopped from
> voting. To frame it as a question, what are the independent ways (
> i.e. not including the said member) of making a conflict of interest
> determination?

My intent is that a TC member affected by a conflict of interest
* must announce it
* cannot vote
These two points hold independently, so if a TC member fails to announce
a conflict of interest that is then discovered later, then their vote is
invalid.

As for determining conflict of interest in case of dishonest TC members,
I don't think there is a general solution for it. But as I said in my
reply to Marton - we already have to assume honesty and good faith on
part of committee members, since a dishonest person could game any
proposed interpretation.

-- 
Anton Khirnov