RAND, Accessibility, and the Digital Divide

Dear www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org,
      I am a great fan of the accessibility-related work that the W3C has 
done and continues to do.  I have spent the last year working on 
accessibility (technology for the disabled) issues, specifically pertaining 
to Linux, with the hope that a much cheaper way for the disabled to use the 
Internet can be found.  I have also followed the issue of the "digitial 
divide" in the news and during my time on the Hill in Washington D.C..  The 
news that W3C is seriously considering making such a policy change regarding 
patents is very disconcerting from both viewpoints.  In my opinion, allowing 
web standards to require royalties directly opposes and reverses the 
accessibility-related work that your consortium is doing.  Furthermore, I 
believe that the policy change is also directly combats the many efforts to 
close "digital divide".  I cannot speak for other industries, causes, or 
efforts, but from my perspectives regarding accessibility and the digital 
divide, I sincerely hope that you change your reccomendation. Thanks for your 
time.

Best,

--JP Schnapper-Casteras

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 22:08:50 UTC