[LC Response] To Ralf Moeller Re: OWL2

Dear Ralf,

Thank you for your comments
<http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-owl-comments/2009Jan/0059.html>
on the OWL 2 Web Ontology Language last call drafts.

Your mail actually contains three distinct comments. This response 
exclusively covers your first comment. There will be additional 
responses to your other two comments.

In your first comment, you state:

"""
I strongly recommend to change the OWL2 specification in such a way  
that data properties are always functional.
"""

The working group acknowledges that by applying the approach 
you mention in your comment it would indeed be sufficient 
if all data properties would be functional.

However, the working group is aware of the fact that the 
original OWL language did not restrict data properties to 
be functional. Therefore, restricting data properties to be 
functional in OWL 2 would break backwards compatibility with OWL.

For this reason, the working group has decided not to make 
the requested change to OWL 2.

Please acknowledge receipt of this email to 
<mailto:public-owl-comments@w3.org> (replying to this email should 
suffice). In your acknowledgment please let us know whether or not you 
are satisfied with the working group's response to your comment.

Regards,
Michael Schneider
on behalf of the W3C OWL Working Group