W3C Patent policy and Free Softwares

Hello,

Reading information about the W3C patent policy, i've learn that your new policy is not compatible with Free Softwares licenses, such as the GPL (see section 7 of the license).

Given the importance of Free Softwares, espescially in the field of the Internet, as well as the idea of liberty they carry, i ask you to reconsider your policy. 

Designing an Internet standard that would be respected by everyone is hard. If the standard cannot be implemented by some people, e.g. for legual reasons, don't expect your standard to be respected by anyone!

Jean-Baptiste LAMY
Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG
Grenoble France