A logical appeal to retain RF standards for Web

Dear W3C Patent Policy Working Group,

I applaud the W3C for its tradition of providing open-source reference
implementations and its work to promote a wide variety of interoperable
implementations of its open standards. However,

  Open Standards should not disbar _anybody_ from taking part.
  Open Standards must _not_ concern themselves with any currency other than
    *interoperable implementations*.

Open standards are the closest one can come to a _scientific_ process:
fully disclosed, verifiable by independent third parties, subject to
superceding/falsification by a newer _OPEN_ standard when necessary and
best of all, no barriers to entry other than following the process.

When the ground is infinite and fertile, as in the field of ideas, there
are no logical reasons to stake out territory, except to prevent others
from exercising their ability to innovate. Protecting one's turf must not
reasonably interfere with others' access to open turf.

An RF license is the only license that encourages scientific pursuit
in software technology. I humbly submit that this is a good ideal to
continue to hold, forever, in the area of Web standards.

Thanks!
Ramki,
-----------------------------------------------------------
Three virtues of programming: laziness,  impatience, hubris
Three virtues of community  : diligence, patience, humility
                              -- Larry Wall, Author of perl

Received on Friday, 5 October 2001 14:02:11 UTC