- From: <ss@technicalpursuit.com>
- Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 14:44:40 -0600
- To: www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org
I am writing to express my extreme concern over the W3C's RAND proposal. As a long-time user of the internet and world-wide-web I can't imagine a rationale for such a policy other than one designed to weaken the W3C's ability to push the web forward. I can imagine a number of scenarios in which companies whose best interests do not lie in universal cross-platform technology being freely available would push for RAND-style standards. The weakening of the W3C's status and ability to move the computing industry forward would strengthen such companies hold on the industry. A clear implication of RAND standards policies is the likely formation by strong open-source supporters of a new consortium whose charter forbids such activity. The creation of a second consortium would drive a stake into the heart of what makes the web work -- a single set of standards. I have only the greatest respect for what the W3C has accomplished to date. It would be a tragedy to see the power of the W3C reduced by choosing a direction that would clearly divide the web community and those whose programming efforts continue to drive technology for the entire world. Scott Shattuck President/CEO Technical Pursuit Inc.
Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 16:45:20 UTC