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February 24, 2005 | Comments: (0)

OASIS strikes back

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OASIS has released a statement expressing disappointment with a widely distributed letter opposing the organization's new intellectual property policy as potentially undermining open source development.

Signed by dignitaries in the open source field, the letter objects to the "reasonable and non-discriminatory" license terms provision allowed by the new policy, which permits technology developers to charge royalties for use of their work.

In its statement, OASIS defended its policy.

"We are disappointed that Mr. Rosen (Lawrence Rosen, an attorney who was one of the signatories to the letter) chose to issue a press statement without first bringing his concerns to OASIS," the organization said.

"We operate under an open process and offer ample opportunities for members and non-members alike to provide input to our policies and work," the statement continues.

OASIS said its policy strengthens, not weakens,the consortium's commitment to open standards.

"The previous OASIS IPR (intellectual property rights) policy, which was written in the 90's, did nothing to require or even encourage royalty-free development," OASIS said. "The revised policy now provides OASIS committees with two options for making RF (royalty-free) mandatory."

OASIS added that to the best of its knowledge, there are no approved OASIS standards that require the payment of a royalty in order to implement software based on its standards.

Once again, I personally have to suggest that maybe the new OASIS policy should be given time to see how it plays out, instead of condemning it right from the start.

Posted by Paul Krill on February 24, 2005 04:14 PM

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