Nuke Resources - Alan Cox on the W3C Patent Policy

An article posted on LinuxToday.com by Alan Cox, on the W3C Patent Policy, says a mouthfull about the future we could be facing with W3C standards... "Bad for the W3C, bad for business, bad for users"

In Alan's words, "A patent-encumbered web threatens the very freedom of intellectual debate, allowing only large companies and big media houses to present information in certain ways. Imagine where the web would be now if only large companies were able to use image files."

Rest assured this does not stop here as Alan comments reflect some of the politics that are taking place with the larger companies: "I note the distinct lack of small companies on the proposal in question. Within the ISO where the same things happen the money simply moves in circles between big players. Accountants and lawyers pay $100,000 sums back and forth as part of an accounting game that they use to keep out smaller players." This is so true when it comes to the rich and mighty.

Alan adds: "A patent-encumbered web threatens the very freedom of intellectual debate, allowing only large companies and big media houses to present information in certain ways. Imagine where the web would be now if only large companies were able to use image files." We are definitely listening Alan... Go Alan!!

Alan's complete message is located at http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2001-09-30-010-20-OP-CY