Proposed Patent Policy Framework

First, let me thank you for extending your call for comments.

The Web became what it is today based on the willingness of the initial 
developers to keep the key technologies free and open. Had the the ideas 
behind HTTP and HTML been patented there is no way the Web would be 
still growing as strong in its second decade.

The proposed W3C Patent Policy Framework patents seems brutally ironic 
coming as it does on the heels of software which finally lives up to the 
W3C's recommendations.

Patents create more patents, as organizations rushing to protect even 
the most nascent ideas.

Patents create barriers, real or imagined, to open development.

Patents -- be they royalty-free or based on reasonable, 
non-discriminatory licensing terms -- will hurt both the growth and the 
maturation of the Web.

Despite the arguments presented in the various documents, I see no 
compelling evidence that patents are necessary for the viability of the 
Web.

I urge the W3C reject the recommendations of the Patent Policy Working 
Group. In fact, I urge the W3C take the opposite path, and work to 
ensure its members not patent any developments that may become W3C drafts.

Sincerely,

Craig Saila
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craig@saila.com  :  http://www.saila.com/
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Received on Tuesday, 2 October 2001 12:51:09 UTC