RE: [xml-dev] Re: W3C ridiculous new policy on patents

["Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <clbullar@ingr.com>]

"Danegeld
Pronounced As: dangeld , medieval land tax originally raised to buy off
raiding Danes and later used for military expenditures. In England the
tribute was first levied in 868, then in 871 by Alfred, and occasionally
thereafter. Under AEthelred (965?-1016) it became a regular tax, and was
collected by later rulers until the 12th cent., when it was converted into
tallage." http://www.encyclopedia.com/articlesnew/03422.html

Yep though "tallage" may be closer or simply, vig.

It won't matter what we call it.  The W3C needs a policy.   I think the open
source folks 
are in for a rough ride in any case.  The costs of doing business are coming
home.

Hmm... Rodney Dangerfield, Back to School?  the scene in the class with the

business professor...?

len

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Richards [mailto:frichards@softquad.com]

That's the theory anyway. In practice I think submarine patents steer pretty
darn close to extortion, as do the software patents of art well known to
those in the field but not documented in those places where patent examiners
look. And the practice of licensing those patents for just less than it
would cost any individual  victim to get them overturned.

"Danegeld" is the term that comes to mind.