response to RAND Patent proposal

As a self-taught website developer I shudder at the thought of patented
code.
Without the open standards of the web, I - like so many other graphic
designers - would never have been able to successfully transition to a
career in new media. 
I am self-employed - a VERY small business owner - without resources to pay
for access to code. If this policy is enacted, I would no longer be able to
benefit from web-development improvements. I would no longer be able to
satisfy the shifting expectations of clients who always want what is
current. My sites would no longer be compliant with web standards. How could
I stay employed? 
Web standards are being established in order to encourage use and adherance
by the greatest number of people, to improve accessibility on the web. It
would be counterproductive to impede use of the very standards being
created.
This patent proposal would definitely hamper, if not destroy, my ability to
innovate and remain competitive. I strongly oppose this proposal and hope it
is rejected.
Lydia Mann
New York City

Received on Friday, 5 October 2001 16:26:14 UTC