

Remember the browser wars? Now, apply RAND..

From: Asteris Masouras <oneiros@aix.meng.auth.gr>
Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 22:49:58 +0300 (EEST)
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.33.0109302224060.9143-100000@lhtee.meng.auth.gr>
Just remember the Internet Explorer/Netscape Navigator battles of the
90's, and apply a RAND licensing scheme to the equation. The only reason
the Web escaped from the browser wars (relatively) unscathed is that
the underlying protocols at that time were Royalty Free, and solutions
were offered from third parties that allowed the public to supplement
their browsing activities. Had RAND licensing been in effect during that
time, it would have been impossible for the large mass of users to meet
the upkeep for both browsers, and the Web would have crumbled or split up
into proprietary partisanships.

Please reconsider: decisions like cannot be taken lightly, they are not
reversible (certainly not, at least, if they must lead to the effective
disbanding or disablement of the body responsible for drafting them), and
their long-term effects cannot be accurately measured or predicted by a
recommendation and drafting process, no matter how complex it may be.

As a final note, I believe that the application and services level of any
technological advance affords enough opportunity for business incentive
and entrepreneurship, and is the only level thereof in which said
incentive can flourish.
Economic regulation on protocols and standards can only bring about it's
downfall, in stifling competition and detracting from it's usefulness
and accessibility to the public.

With kind regards,

Asteris Masouras
A.U.Th. LHTEE Software Developer
Received on Sunday, 30 September 2001 15:50:00 GMT
