- From: Jeff Trefftzs <trefftzs@tcsn.net>
- Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 12:43:44 -0700
- To: www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org
I have just read a Linux Today article describing the W3C's proposed fee-based licensing concept. It seems to me that the W3C is making a major mistake in moving from open standards to proprietary/fee-based standards as is proposed in the new RAND licensing policy. The point of a standard is that is indeed *standard*. And that means free. No licensing costs, no registration requirements. We have seen what has happened in the net world with the fuss over licensing the GIF format. Imagine if we each had to license the use of the metric system (or the British/SAE system). Certainly the W3C has, in the past, been seen as a major supporter of open (read "free") standards. It would be a disaster to the internet community as it exists now were that to change. Just my $.02 Jeffrey L. Trefftzs
Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 15:44:14 UTC