- From: Gerald Albitre <GPAlbitre@msn.com>
- Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 13:23:35 -0700
- To: <www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org>
- Message-ID: <OE110fN3vSAMfKQu1bC00017965@hotmail.com>
Dear W3C Patent Policy Working Group: This meeting has recently been brought to my attention and I'm concerned about the recent Patent Policy Framework draft, which could allow W3C members to charge royalty fees for technologies included in web standards. In particular, I object to the inclusion of a "reasonable and non-discriminatory" (RAND) licensing option in the proposed policy. I believe that the exclusive use of a "royalty-free" (RF) licensing model is in the best interests of the Internet community, and that RAND licensing would always necessarily exclude some would-be implementers, especially among open source and free software developers. I feel this will place limits on the overall function and availability of some of the features of the internet. Eventually slowing the technical growth by placing limits on who can afford to use and improve certain applications and protocols. This should be open to all willing to venture into and not simply available to those who can afford to do so. I applaud the W3C for its tradition of providing open-source reference implementations and its work to promote a wide variety of interoperable implementations of its open standards. The W3C can best continue its work of "leading the Web to its full potential" by continuing this tradition, and saying no to RAND licensing. Sincerely, Gerald Albitre 1509 Galina Ct Bakersfield, Ca 93307
Received on Friday, 5 October 2001 16:28:22 UTC