Comments

Dear Sirs:

This message is to state our vehement opposition
for patented W3C standards.  Patents have no
place on Internet standards and it seems
abhorrent that your organization is considering
adopting standards protected by patents.  We can
think of no better way to stop Internet
innovation and interoperability.

Hence, we state our position on the following
three proposals:

Requirement for disclosure provisions:  Support.

A procedure for launching new standards
development activities as Royalty-Free Licensing
Mode activities: Oppose.

A procedure for launching new standards
development activities as Reasonable and
Non-Discriminatory (RAND) Licensing Mode
activities: Oppose.

Consortiums such as yours have a moral and
functional obligation, almost by definition, to
publish standards that anyone can freely use.
Patents are meant to grant the patent holder
exclusivity and control over who and how the
patented ideas are implemented.  Even if the
patent holder agrees to give royalty-free
licenses, this is anathema to your mission:  You
exist to make interoperability and communication
possible.  You are here to make the greatest
benefit to all of society, you are not here to be
a tool for monopolists.

Many businesses and individuals depend on your
work, please do not let it be tainted by greedy
individuals and organizations.

Sincerely,


Gabriel Gonzalez
Directory of Information Technology
Continental Currency Services, Inc.

1108 E 17th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701

714-667-6659

Received on Tuesday, 2 October 2001 09:54:40 UTC