Patent Policy Framework

                  www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org 

                      Dear W3C Patent Policy Working Group,

                      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 implementors. 

                      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,

                              Marina Brown - Sysadmin Surferz.net
                              Box 152
                              Elka Park, NY
                              12427-0152
-- 
======================================================
"Demanding domestic security in times of war invites 
carelessness in preserving civil liberties and the 
right of privacy. Frequently the people are only too 
anxious for their freedoms to be sacrificed on the 
altar of authoritarianism thought to be necessary to 
remain safe and secure."

      -- Texas libertarian Republican, Ron Paul 
======================================================

Received on Sunday, 14 October 2001 20:26:52 UTC