Is the headline: W3C embraces Patent Office policies?

Allowing the use of patents granted by an outside agency into a previously
'open standards' process will have the effect of legitimizing every policy
of the various patent offices around the world. When granting a patent, the
US Patent Office does not necessarily rule on the innovativeness of a
patent - just possibly the unique-ness (the prior art issue) - and much
prefers to leave any real judgements to the courts, litigation of the
involved parties, and the success of the prevailing party. I cite as
examples the lax patent standards which have allowed several 'bad', overly
broad, and common business practice patents to be issued. A move to entrench
the W3C at the start of this long process is really a move to turn over the
computer technology industry to lawyers. The business model will change from
'find a problem, solve it, make money' to 'patent a process, legitimize the
patent and standardize on it through the W3C, and collect from users of the
'standard''. Sure it's great business - but it abandons what standards and
the community process is about.

We must not let this happen. Each of your should speak out against!
-Rodney