Meng wrote:
I am arguing for PRA support not because I think PRA is
technically right, but because giving Microsoft what it has
asked for is gracious. And if Microsoft is going to take it
even if we don't give it to them, then it is not only
gracious; it is pragmatic.
Meng, I'm afraid that this worthy sentiment is a denial of the reality.
Microsoft are not being gracious by attempting to stake a claim in an
interoperability standard, they will not appreciate your gesture. Once they
have taken what they want from MARID they will take more and continue to
take until theres nothing left. Then they'll move on, strengthened, and
asset strip some other open technology. This is the pattern of their
observed behaviour and one primary reason that they are fighting case after
case in courts across the world.
I firmly believe that standards only have a useful role to play if they are
accessable without restriction, and microsoft's intentions would deny us
that.
To permit the principle that a published interoperability standard may
require an implementor to be granted a licence by the owner of a patent or
other IPR (other than the publisher/maintainer of the standard) is madness,
follow that route and you will find that there will come one internet for
the powerful, corporate, military & government interests, and another for
the weak, the innovators, academics and entrepreneurs.
Are we really prepared to sit back and watch while commercial entities
carry on a land grab of internet standards, tie them up in legalese and
exert control over bona-fide users?
I applaud your honest and generous sensitivity, it does you credit. But I
urge you to get real in this most cynical world.
If we adopt your philosophy coroporate lawyers will be laughing up their
sleves at us.
It is as important for those who understand the importance of freedom of
interoperability to stand up and defend it against those who pursue
restriction and control.
d.
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