Patents only use if completely free and unrestricted

Patents should not be used in W3C recommendations unless the patent
owner gives a unrestricted right to implement the patented technology
for free.

Having any recommendation with patent technologies that have
restrictions stifle innovation. Some of the best tools are provided by
independent programmers that distribute their programs for free. Having
to pay for licensing fees, even if it is just a set fee to implement it,
will eliminate these independent programmers. With out independent
programmers making tool having a recommendation is useless since with
out support, no one would want to implement the recommendation.

-Doug

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 13:42:12 UTC