The patent-policy change (RAND)

Dear Mr. Weitzner,

I am a software researcher working at a small company
(15-20 employees) which specialise in development of software 
that actively uses the Net.  This software relies on open 
standards for maximum interoperability within a network.  My
team is about to start on a new, and hopefully novel, project
that'll use open standards from W3C as foundation to make it
work well with other software, including open-source software.

In my current job, and in earlier jobs (among them working with
the Icesoft team to make the leading web-browser in Java) I've
come to rely on the good work done by W3C as it has allowed 
competing companies agree on open standards.  Open standards have
made it possible for small companies to compete fairly with big
companies.  This is vital for innovative research in 
Net-technology.

I feel that the change in W3C policy wrt patents, esp section 7.1,
is too lax, and I fear it will allow big companies with intent to
stifle competition to use W3C as a vehicle for such activities. 
The economical aspects with this lax wording might effectively 
make W3C standards 'off-limits' for small companies as the costs
of licensing might be too high for small companies.

I fear that the new "W3C Patent Policy Framework" will not contribute
to the open and including atmosphere that W3C so far have fought
actively for, with words and deeds.  It might very well make things
too difficult for small companies and open-source development,
and actively stifle competition and innovation.  Standards like HTML
and XML would probably not have become as succesful as they have if
royalties were charged. 

The credibility that W3C has in my eyes, as a standards-body that
has followed the ideals of an open and inclusive Net will be
eroded quickly if royalty claims will come attached to standards.
Apparently it's not even needed that royalty-claims need to be
disclosed before the standard is ratified.  I cannot advice my
employers and customers to go for W3C standards if they can 
suddenly be hit with a royalty-claim for standards and technology
I have recommended to them.  I hope that you'll think this over
again and straighten out the policy.

With sincere concern,

Stig E Sandø
Software Researcher


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Stig Erik Sandoe      Software Researcher        stig@boblycat.com

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 15:58:33 UTC