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Some people are interpreting this as an attempt by large corporations to grab the web, others see it as an opportunity for developers to get their fair share. It would probably fall somewhere in the middle.
The W3C are specifically looking for feedback concerning three different issues. Quoting from a message posted October 1:
As the proposed policy includes proposals such as:
- a requirement for disclosure provisions ( href="http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-patent-policy-20010816/#sec-disclosure" target="_new" title="W3C W3C Patent Policy Framework, Section 7">Section 7);
- a procedure for launching new standards development activities as Royalty-Free Licensing Mode activities (sections href="http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-patent-policy-20010816/#sec-definitions" target="_new" title="W3C W3C Patent Policy Framework, Section 4">4 and href="http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-patent-policy-20010816/#sec-mode" target="_new" title="W3C W3C Patent Policy Framework, Section 5">5);
- a procedure for launching new standards development activities as Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (RAND) Licensing Mode activities (sections href="http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-patent-policy-20010816/#sec-definitions" target="_new" title="W3C W3C Patent Policy Framework, Definition 4">4 and href="http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/WD-patent-policy-20010816/#sec-mode" target="_new" title="W3C W3C Patent Policy Framework, Definition 5">5);