keep standards free and open

To Whom It Concerns,
You'll notice that I'm using Mozilla to send this email from my Linux 
system, perhaps a hint of my stance on this issue.

My name is Chip Piller and I have been using Linux and open source 
software since 1995.  I believe that the web should be patent free.  The 
whole idea of reasonable and non discriminatory is ludicrous in my 
opinion.  It's a loophole, something that will make lawyers and certain 
corporations lots of money.

If the W3C permits inclusion of patented software in the standards then 
you will have taken away several freedoms from web users.  Users should 
have full and complete access to all services and features of the web 
defined by the W3C standards.  The standards should all be free and 
open.  Users should be able to write their own software to use with 
these web services and standards if they so desire.  Users should be 
able to access all the web features and services using free, open 
source, GPL software.  There should be no royalties or fees whatsoever 
for anyone to use any feature or service of the web defined by W3C 
standards.

Regards,
Chip Piller
Richmond, VA

Received on Thursday, 4 October 2001 12:39:58 UTC