- From: Zack Johnson <zack@hamhocks.net>
- Date: 30 Dec 2002 22:32:33 -0500
- To: www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org
To whom it may concern: As a developer and former small business operator, I am deeply troubled by the W3C's rather confused language in its Royalty-Free Patent Policy, specifically the section regarding `Free Software.' It seems the proposal tries to have the best of both worlds, while in reality having none. Either let the implement the standards royalty-free or not. No not try to limit usage to 'web-only.' Such distinctions are largely meaningless as the same application may or may not be deployed in a web context-- often without the knowledge of the developer. At anyrate, it puts developers in the position of becoming a judge, rather than just a developer. I am additionally at a loss to understand the W3C's eagerness to exclude the `Free Software' community. Perhaps the W3C wishes to become entirely irrelevant, though I cannot imagine why. Unless other parties newly joined are less friendly to fair competition. Respectfully, Zack Johnson
Received on Sunday, 5 January 2003 11:41:17 UTC