WS-I and IP?

["Don Park" <donpark@docuverse.com>]

All,

My understanding is that WS-I was formed to promote inter-operability
among web service protocol stacks.  What I am not sure about is WS-I's
position on patents.  I would like to see all protocols accepted by WS-I
for inter-operability be declared either patent-free or at least
cost-free.  While I am not too confident of positions taken by founding
members of WS-I, I am encouraged by IBM's recent move regarding ebXML
specs.

Could WS-I members please speak up on this subject?

Best,

Don Park