Internet Standards Body Calls for Comments on Royalty-Free Patent Policy

The working group of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for patent policy has issued the Royalty-Free Patent Policy as a Last Call Working Draft. Under the Policy, W3C will not approve a Recommendation of a standard if it is aware that a patent exists covering in part or whole of the standard which is not available for licensing on royalty-free terms. The charter of any working group on a proposed standard must include royalty-free licensing requirements that require that the standard produced by the working group be available on royalty-free basis, to the best ability of the working group and the W3C. The public has until December 31, 2002 to submit comments to the working group for patent policy concerning the Royalty-Free Patent Policy. For the press release of the W3C and details of the Royalty-Free Patent Policy, visit: http://www.w3.org For a past report of e-Tips on a related issue, visit: http://dww.local/?p=154