Proposed Patent Policy - The Antithesis of W3C

"The W3C was created to lead the Web to its full potential by developing
 common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure its
 interoperability"

How can it be that the W3C has departed so far from its original goals and
to work to oppose them?

The proposed patent policy would go against everything the W3C stood for in
the past, and would turn the Web into simply another advertising medium for
large corporations.  Imagine where the web would be now if only large
companies were able to use image files.

If the W3C wishes to remain relevant to the people, to the small businesses
(the other 80%) and to the future of the web then I strongly suggest that it

€    Requires non-disclosed patents are freely licensed for use
     in that standard for all.

€    Does not "approve" or "recommend" or allow its logo to be used
     on any patent-encumbered item.


€    Restricts its activities on patent-encumbered projects to providing a
     forum where such people    can work on patent encumbered projects to be
     released under their own names only.



Finally we should all remember this. When patented W3C standards ensure
there is only one web browser in the world, its owners will no longer
have time for the W3C or standards.

Anna McCreery

Received on Monday, 1 October 2001 00:11:48 UTC