W3C Patent Policy

Dear Messrs:


It has just come to my attention that a new W3C patent policy is being
considered.  This is a very dangerous trend that will lock out free and open
source web browsers.  If accepted, this will stifle innovation by throwing a
minefield of patents in the way of developers, ultimately locking users into
a single, proprietary browser that will probably only run on one or two
operating systems,  Vital portions of the internet will become property of a
single corporate entity, with minimal incentive to ever innovate or improve
their product.  Small or not for profit entities will be barred from entry
by virtue of exorbitant licensing fees and a minefield of patents.  The
internet would then become the private domain of a small number of corporate
players, and totally lock out users of Mozilla and other open source
browsers, who are unable or unwilling to pay hefty software license fees.
This development is extremely detrimental to the public good, and I would
strongly ask that you think twice about what you are considering.


Gary Cameron, P. Eng.

Stittsville, Ontario
Canada

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 22:08:42 UTC