Proposed patent policy destroys W3C mission

I write in opposition to the proposal to permit "RAND" licensing of 
patents in W3C standards.

The W3C has made great contributions to its goal, "to lead the Web to 
its full potential," precisely because it has developed open, 
interoperable technologies.

Standards that are encumbered by licensing fees will never be fully 
interoperable because however reasonable they appear to some they cannot 
be non-discriminatory.  They exclude users and developers who cannot, 
for financial or ethical reasons, subscribe to the license.

Adopting this proposal would be the end of your claim that

"The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies 
(specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its 
full potential."

Neel Smith
nsmith@holycross.edu

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 14:13:47 UTC