Re: Call for volunteers to discuss IETF patent policy with Richard Stallman

[Richard M Stallman <rms at gnu.org>]

I cannot post anything in a group whose name uses the term
"intellectual property" without saying first that I think it is a
mistake to make any statement using that term.  It encourages
overgeneralization, and is too broad to be of use in meaningful
statements.  See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html for more
explanation.

The issue here concerns patents and only patents.  To use the term
"intellectual property" in discussing it would confuse the issue by
bringing in other disparate laws.

    It is unreasonable to ban all patents, since patents may be used 
    defensively in accordance with LPF principles and statements. It is also 
    possible that a patented technology might be so fundamental, that a 
    standard _must_ be approved no matter the cost.

A patented standard for software is worse than no standard, because it
functions to augment the patent holder's stranglehold over society.
What everyone ought to do is resist it.

As long as the IETF allows patented standards for software, anyone can
argue about any proposed patented standard that it important enough to
excuse the patent.  Others can argue that it is not, but since that is
a question of judgment, the conclusion is never inevitable.  So the
risk is always broader than it might appear.

I am looking for people who would like to join in trying to change
this policy.  I'll discuss it further with those who are interested.