Comments on Patent Policy Framework draft

Dear W3C Patent Policy Working Group:

I'm writing to you about the recent Patent Policy Framework draft. Were 
this adopted, it would allow W3C members to charge fees for merely 
implementing a standard.

The W3C has had an excellent track record so far. After all, there's a good 
handful of browsers competing in today's market. And, with each release, 
they become more and more standards compliant.

But, with fees entering the picture, only commercially-backed browsers 
would be able to "play this game". Open Source browsers -- run only by 
volunteers -- would not be able to participate.

With fewer competitors in the market, quality would go down. As such, I 
urge you to continue your royalty-free licensing model.

Sincerely,

Alex Bischoff

1471 Candlewood Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15241

Received on Friday, 5 October 2001 11:26:58 UTC