W3C Responds

Hi all,

http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2001-09-30-001-20-NW-CY-0064

Dear Readers of Linux Today,

Since the publication of Adam's article, many Linux Today readers have
written to voice disagreement with the current Working Draft of the W3C
Patent Policy Framework.

For those of you not familiar with how W3C works: W3C puts documents out
for public comment, announces them, and is obliged to respond to
questions and critiques. This document was no different; in fact, not
only was the document announced on the W3C Homepage six weeks ago, the
WG produced both a FAQ and backgrounder, and the announcement was
carried on a variety of syndication services which rely on RSS feeds.

As many of you may have missed the August announcement of the draft, I
include the links here for your reference. I would ask that you consider
reading these documents as "item 0" in Adam's "What you can do" list.

Announcement: archived with date at http://www.w3.org/News/2001
FAQ: http://www.w3.org/2001/08/16-PP-FAQ
Backgrounder: http://www.w3.org/2001/08/patentnews
W3C Patent Policy Framework:
http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-patent-policy-20010816/

For more information on how W3C works in general, I invite you to read
the W3C Process Document:
http://www.w3.org/Consortium/Process/

As of now, many comments sent to W3C's Patent Policy Comment list simply
say, "Don't!" By responding in this manner, writers give the Working
Group nothing on which to build a constructive response or to consider.
Should you decide to comment, I suggest here what you can do to help W3C
make the most of your comments, and help it be in a position to act on
them:

1. Read the draft itself. (You may find the FAQ and backgrounder
useful.)
2. Provide your comments directed at specific sections of the draft with
which you object.
3. Ask questions where you find the language of the draft itself
unclear.
4. If you make philosophical objections, please base it on your reading
of the draft.

W3C welcomes all comments - critical and otherwise - on its documents. I
would say though, that the preference is for substantiated comments.
This type of comments leads to action; at the very least, they demand
consideration on behalf of the Working Group, as well as a thoughtful
response.

Best regards,

Janet Daly
Head of Communications, W3C

---

Excellent advice. BTW I provided the links above in an "Essential
Reference".

If the W3C extends its comment period all misunderstands will be able to
be resolved.

Regards,
Adam

Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 23:33:50 UTC