W3C Patent Policy

I would like to urge the W3C to consider focusing its efforts 
exclusively towards the design of standards that are usable by all 
without the payment of patent royalties.

For a period of several years, I was the CTO of an internet company and 
oversaw its patent portfolio. I have seen with my own eyes how 
intellectually specious the patent system is, and how it rewards legal 
posturing over good engineering.

It may well be that in those areas where one or more vendors believe to 
have an enforceable standard those vendors choose to develop de facto 
standards, or standards promulgated by an industry organization. It is 
not clear to me why the W3C would want to be involved in such efforts, 
however.

The W3C has done immense good in the establishment of open and freely 
usable standards up to now. I urge it to continue in this fashion.

Sincerely,

Cay Horstmann

Professor of Computer Science
San Jose State University

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Cay S. Horstmann | http://horstmann.com | mailto:cay@horstmann.com

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 02:39:25 UTC