- From: Tim Berners-Lee <timbl@w3.org>
- Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 15:15:09 -0400
- To: <www-patentpolicy-comment@w3.org>
- Cc: "w3mreq" <w3mreq@w3.org>
There have been several strong calls for me to break my silence in this debate and present my personal opinion. I would like to explain why I haven't done that. Of course, many people know my views on this already, as I have ranted on various media and various times.[1] My silence arises from the fact that I value the consensus-building process at W3C. I am not (contrary to what some of the pundits might suggest! ;-) a dictator by role or nature and so prefer to wait and let the community resolve an issue.A I often have the problem that when I express a personal opinion it is misquoted as representing a consensus in the Web Community or within the Consortium. This is because there are times when after consensus is achieved, that it is my job (formally) to announce that. (I also have the reverse problem sometimes!) There are also times when, passionately though I might believe something, it is best for me not to make the argument. For example, if the community is actually coming to a consensus on which I agree, then I wouldn't want people to feel, afterward, that the result was rather less valid because people had been swayed by the over-weighted opinion of the Director. So I hope those on this list will understand. Meanwhile, I would like to thank with all my heart those who have taken the time to contribute to this discussion - the total amount of effort has been enormous, demonstrating better than I could by myself what an important issue this is considered to be. KUTGW Tim Berners-Lee _________________________________________________________-- [1] http://www.w3.org/2001/10/Patents-wtw-excerpt.html
Received on Wednesday, 24 October 2001 15:12:20 UTC