diff --git a/target/linux/generic/PATCHES b/target/linux/generic/PATCHES
index 34608188d5..86ced46804 100644
--- a/target/linux/generic/PATCHES
+++ b/target/linux/generic/PATCHES
@@ -13,3 +13,8 @@ and sorted into the following categories:
 8xx - other drivers
 9xx - uncategorized other patches
 
+ALL patches must be in a way that they are potentially upstreamable, meaning:
+
+- they must contain a proper subject
+- they must contain a proper commit message explaining what they change
+- they must contain a valid Signed-off-by line