RSS 3: Cease and Desist Notice

Dear Sirs: we represent Mr. Swartz, widely recognized as the founding
genius and incredibly good-looking host behind the RSS 3.0 specification
[1]. We are writing to inform you that your recently published
specification, "RSS 3" [2], collides with Mr. Swartz's original use of
the name, impinging upon and hence impeding the proselytization of his
technology. You are in breach of project naming etiquette. It is
therefore required of you that you rename your specification immediately.

We have found comments by you [3] on the World Wide Web stating that you
already became aware of Mr. Swartz's specification, and yet have
wantonly continued to pirate his name. This behavior is most
unacceptable, hence this cease and desist notice. We are so angry at
your behavior that we are almost naked. You state that you "canvassed
the web quite thoroughly" looking for prior art. You did not, otherwise
you would have found Mr. Swartz's significant body of work. You state
that just because the technology hasn't been used for a few years, you
are welcome to the name. That is akin to saying you can re-record a song
if the author doesn't re-record it for three years. This sheer
impetuousness is most baffling, and moot anyway since a number of people
have feeds using the legitimate RSS 3.0.

We have some suggestions for a new name. RSS Pi would be acceptable to
us. Indeed, any version number that does not compare *numerically* equal
to the float "3.0", or any other current version, would be acceptable to
us. But again, you have not done your research: RSS 2.0.1 states quite
clearly in its roadmap section that no future versions of RSS derived
from the specification shall use RSS with a version number.

One slashdotter, moreover, has said of your specification that it is a
mere "bunch of pointless dick-waving", to which we heartily agree. We
therefore impel you in the strongest possible terms to call your
specification RSS Dick Waving. You may shorten this to RSS DW; we cannot
be responsible, however, for any possible infringment notice you may
receive from Dave Winer as a result of the misuse of his initials.

By having read this message either in part or in full, you have
signified your assent to its contents in perpetuity throughout the
universe, including that a clause of similar intent shall have no effect
if returned to us (i.e. no comebacks, trancendental or otherwise). You
also waive your indemnibility and our liability for any adverse actions
that should result as an effect of this notice, including any feedback
that you may receive from members of the RSS community including the
IETF Atom group.

This email has been BCC'd to the publically archived www-archive email
list, the archives for which are available via Google. If you wish to
respond in public, do so on that forum. Private responses are also welcome.

[1] http://www.aaronsw.com/2002/rss30
[2] http://www.rss3.org/main.html
[3] http://www.rss3.org/official_blog/?p=5

On behalf of Mr. Swartz in defence of his technology, we remain,

Yours sincerely, signatories,

-- 
Sean B. Palmer, secretary to Mr. Aaron Swartz
Homepage: http://inamidst.com/sbp/

Morbus Iff, secretary and son to Mr. Aaron Swartz
Homepage: http://www.disobey.com/about/morbus.shtml

[Ends]

Received on Sunday, 21 August 2005 04:24:49 UTC