Response to the W3C Patent Policy Framework Policy Draft

To Whom it may Concern,

  I thank the W3C for the extended period in which to comment upon it's last
proposal, the Patent Policy Framework Working Draft (PPFWD), and hope all
well-founded responses will be considered and evaluated carefully.

  Up until now the work done by the W3C to promote standards and
interoperability has been excellent and the majority of the content in the
PPFWD follows this trend. It is with the RAND patent licensing scheme
(RAND), I take issue.

  The RAND, as it stands now, will grant all but unlimited control of the
future of the web to large corporations, with the financial and legal muscle
and the intent to use it, leaving the largest group of contributors to the
web, small businesses and free software/open source developers, hanging at
their mercy. Incidentally these last groups have also been the staunchest
proponents of the W3C standards in the past. 

  Furthermore, I still haven't seen - and cannot foresee - a single case on
the web where the endorsement of patented standards have or would lead to a
faster and broader acceptance of said or alternative standards, as stated in
your reply.

  I would also like to point out, as a non-us citizen, that the EU has
extended the period in/under which it is impossible to obtain patent rights
in relation to software. This would seriously impact the enforceability and
adoption of RAND and RAND-like alternatives outside of the US.

  Please reconsider your stance on this and reject RAND, as it will do
nothing but halt the expansion of the web and promote diffuse
non-interoperable "standards" by raising the barriers of entry for all.
Quite contrary to what the proposal is aimed at and what is directly
proclaimed to be the mission and goals of the W3C.

Regards,

Robin Peters
Java Developer/Architect

P.S.: Please note that the expressed views does not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer.

Received on Wednesday, 10 October 2001 05:38:36 UTC