- From: Scottie \ <dough_boy@mindspring.com>
- Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 02:59:43 -0400
- To: <www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org>
As a scholar, I must say that I need to voice an opinion to the proposal for patents in the internet arena. In your 7 steps to W3C (previously known as 10 steps) you mention "W3C, a vendor-neutral organization, promotes interoperability by designing and promoting open (non-proprietary) computer languages and protocols that avoid the market fragmentation of the past." This can only mean one thing! No one can own the right to rule this information. Your organization was created especially for this means, to develop standards which the world can utilize to interoperate with all users. After all, what is the definition of non-proprietary? To own a patent means to rule who can use the information. By patenting standards, you also fragment the market, by disassociating those that have accepted your current practices. I should hate to think of the time when you could send a layer for me because I used a css that I developed according to your standards. Or even raise the price of WYSIWYG software to the public, because of their embedded use of such standards. No, if the intent here is recognition, you already have that. Sure, you are not in the lime light for the information your time and hard work have developed, but that is expected of organizations. This is why the receive things like tax breaks and have people donating their free time to your cause. Even academia recognize this fact, for I am writing this post at 3am. No, if the desire is to make money off the patents, you are a doomed organization. The world already has the information at no charge, to charge for it after fact, would only bring an alter organization of dedicated loyalist. Should the issue of funds be an issue, develop a scheme to take up donations. There are those mega software giants, script writers and the rest of us concerned web junkies that have a dollar or two. Certainly it is safe to say after reading the many posts regarding this subject, patents on standards will be unacceptable to the public. Please reconsider your need for this option and propose the true meaning behind your needs. We, the public stand ready to assist. Scottie Lipa 900 Ferncliff Ct Monroe Oh 45050 513-759-9085 home scottielipa@lipafamily.org <mailto:scottielipa@lipafamily.org> dough_boy@mindspring.com <mailto:dough_boy@mindspring.com>
Received on Thursday, 11 October 2001 02:54:46 UTC