Patent Policy Framework draft

Dear W3C Patent Policy Working Group -

First of all, I would like to to thank the W3C for the work that it has
done in the past, especially with regard to its promotion of open
standards.  As a software engineer who works with a variety of web services
and applications, I feel that the W3C is instrumental in assuring that the
Web becomes a useful place for all kinds of people and organizations.

I am concerned, however, about the "reasonable and non-discriminatory"
(RAND) licensing option in the Patent Policy Framework draft.  This would
allow W3C memebers to charge royalty fees for technologies described by
their web standards.  I believe that such a model would prevent many open
source and free software developers from using W3C standards, and this
in turn would be detrimental to the Internet community.

I urge you to continue with the strong traditions of the W3C, and to say no
to RAND licensing.

Sincerely,

Michael Dewey
307 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 839-1892

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Received on Friday, 5 October 2001 18:13:52 UTC