- From: Max Bell <mbell@pobox.com>
- Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 22:02:32 -0700
- To: www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org
The increasing allowance of patented IP in the W3C's standards are rendering them increasingly meaningless as standards. I'll support competing truely open standards (no patents permitted period, GPL) over anything encumbered by patents. As has been repeatedly demonstrated, holders of such patents do not really allow free access -- they just wait for the technology to become embedded and then "changed their minds" and gouge. Changing policy to allow gouging from the outset is outrageous. The W3C needs to change course, not lock futher into the abuse of "standards". I'm fairly amazed Mr. Lee would allow this, since he has publically stated how "useful" patents, etc. would have been to the spread of HTML and HTTP. I doubt these comments will make any difference since I don't have any money for bribes/contributions, but duty requires me to help the record reflect that this abuse of position as a standard maker is not passing unnoticed. Max Bell mbell@pobox.com
Received on Monday, 1 October 2001 01:03:34 UTC