Do not adopt the RAND policy. It will kill the W3C

In my honest opinion it is much better for the W3C to stay away from 
patent-like discussions. Especially since patent law varies widely around the 
world.

Also it in my opinion better to condone as the W3C a free and open standard 
than a potentially closed standard when it has the choice. And when it 
doesn't have the choice call it's supporters of all rank to propose one which 
offers the same functionality but is open and free to all the W3C supporters.

Besides, it is very unwise to support standards which are contributed to by 
only a few entities (companies, persons, etc.) and where only a few entities 
stand to (financially) gain from this standard. Let these entities propose 
their standard to the world themselves but without the explicit support from 
the W3C.

I herewith predict that if the W3C condones the RAND policy that in the 
foreseeable future the W3C will lose much of the influence it now has. Simply 
because of the 'Fragmenting of the Unix platform' effect.

W3C Standards until now became W3C standards because everyone could use these 
freely without fear of another entity (company, institution, person) gaining 
a financial claim over the entity who is implementing the standard. 

Let the W3C remain the beacon of open and free standards for all involved and 
supporting it !!!

Sincerely,

Erick Staal
technical infrastructure consultant

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 02:13:29 UTC