RAND considered harmful

The RAND option should not be applied to W3C standards.  The work that
W3C has done is real and substantial.  However, a standard is more than
just a product - it is a point of common undestanding that can used for 
work that comes later.  A good standard becomes a focus of effort.

The RAND option would exclude some would-be implementors.  But worse, it
would dilute the focusing affect of the standard.  I believe
royalty-free
licensing will serve the community much better.  If member companies
feel they must create a revenue stream from W3C standards, let them do
it outside of the official W3C organization and attach fees to the
implementing programs; not to patents.

-Steven Pothier-

Received on Wednesday, 10 October 2001 22:12:41 UTC