- From: Enrique A. Chaparro <echaparro@afip.gov.ar>
- Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2001 14:04:44 -0400 (EDT)
- To: www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org
The proposed RAND policy for incorporating patented technologies into W3C standards will cause fragmentation of the WWW, severe inequalities, widening of the infamous 'digital gap', and lead to end of the WWW as a democratic space. An apocalyptical view? Perhaps... but enough number of well founded arguments have been pulicized in this list and other forums to support that view. Let me point out why the use of patented 'technologies' creates severe inequalities: since patents are mostly of a national nature, the RAND proposal will lead to absurdities like paying fees for using certain software implementing patented technologies in some countries, but not in others (!?) My country (Argentina) has a very clear patent law: software patents are _not_ allowed; patents on discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods are _not_ allowed; patents on the forms and ways of information presentation are _not_ allowed. Therefore, we could have a "patent-free" WW(?)W in Argentina, and a patent-restricted WW(?)W elsewhere (!!). As ridiculous as it could sound, that is perfectly possible. I kindkly request W3C to do their best to keep the WWW free of patents and other restrictions to freedom of speech. Enrique A. Chaparro -- #include <standard_diclaimer.h> Izena duen uzia omen da. ---
Received on Thursday, 4 October 2001 11:57:07 UTC