Re: [idn] WALID, Inc. IP Statement

[Dave Crocker <dhc@dcrocker.net>]

At 12:01 AM 4/28/2001, J. Douglas Hawkins wrote:
>WALID, Inc. is genuinely committed to finding a solution that will enable
>the WG to fulfill its standards-setting objective of selecting the best
>available technology for the RFC, yet at the same time we have a duty to act
>responsibly with respect to our employees and shareholders. We are therefore
>seeking a solution that will fairly balance the rights and interests of all
>parties, while also taking into account the broader interests of the 
>Internet community.

1.  Walid is taking rather a long time to resolve this matter, in spite of 
the periodic public statements about its intentions.  Walid should have had 
a clear and constructive proposal at the last IETF meeting, but did 
not.  We are now some time down the path and are hearing more promises of 
intent, but not seeing anything concrete.

2.  The above paragraph from Walid makes clear that Walid seeks to profit 
from license fees.  Whether they are equitably applied, or not, is 
irrelevant. "...responsibility to ... shareholders" is not language used 
for a defensive patent.  It is used for the bottom line.

3.  The working group, therefore, either simply caves in, if it believes 
there are no alternatives, or it finds an alternative engineering path 
around the patent.

d/

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Dave Crocker   <mailto:dcrocker@brandenburg.com>
Brandenburg InternetWorking   <http://www.brandenburg.com>
tel: +1.408.246.8253;   fax: +1.408.273.6464