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RE: [xml-dev] [Fwd: W3C ridiculous new policy on patents]
- From: "Simon St.Laurent" <simonstl@simonstl.com>
- To: "Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@ingr.com>
- Date: Mon, 01 Oct 2001 16:05:37 -0400
On Mon, 2001-10-01 at 15:45, Bullard, Claude L (Len) wrote:
> That's why one learns to read the contracts
> and keeps a lawyer around to ask. Failure to
> know the law is not a defense against prosecution.
And neither is failure to support the law.
Unfortunately, certain key organizations (US PTO, US Govt generally, and
now W3C) seem to be caving in to some rather gratuitous claims made by
powerful companies.
Not everyone can afford a lawyer - I can always call my brother, but
patent specialists in particular are pricey. This isn't a libertarian
paradise where we can all afford the help we might need.
As I said, these so-called contracts are more bondage than benefit,
often entered into on terms that are far from voluntary.
--
Simon St.Laurent
"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better." - Emile Coue