- From: Rodney Smith <rodney-s@home.com>
- Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 09:55:59 -0700
- To: <www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org>
Allowing the use of patents granted by an outside agency into a previously 'open standards' process will have the effect of legitimizing every policy of the various patent offices around the world. When granting a patent, the US Patent Office does not necessarily rule on the innovativeness of a patent - just possibly the unique-ness (the prior art issue) - and much prefers to leave any real judgements to the courts, litigation of the involved parties, and the success of the prevailing party. I cite as examples the lax patent standards which have allowed several 'bad', overly broad, and common business practice patents to be issued. A move to entrench the W3C at the start of this long process is really a move to turn over the computer technology industry to lawyers. The business model will change from 'find a problem, solve it, make money' to 'patent a process, legitimize the patent and standardize on it through the W3C, and collect from users of the 'standard''. Sure it's great business - but it abandons what standards and the community process is about. We must not let this happen. Each of your should speak out against! -Rodney
Received on Tuesday, 2 October 2001 12:46:23 UTC