WWW8 Notes: Open Source Software and Software Patents Continued

Before, and After, the Hype

When the World-Wide Web was first created (and Gopher before it), there was no "open-source movement," and the chances of software patents keeping programmers from building the tools they wanted were much lower. From the beginning, the World Wide Web Consortium has been releasing its browsers, servers, and associated software for no charge, and with access to the source code insured. Without that openness, the web wouldn't be as ubiquitous as it is today, with numerous commercial entities profiting from the freely available standards and software. What I saw at WWW8 gives me confidence that free software will continue to have a major impact on the development of the Internet, Bob Metcalfe's predictions notwithstanding.

The W3C, as well as being an arbiter and promoter of open web standards, looks like it will take up the fight against frivolous patents. It is already working on finding prior art to dispute a recently-revealed patent on the technology underlying the Platform for Privacy Preferences.

The talks given by the PHP, Apache, and other open source developers demonstrate that there is still a lot of energy among the folks who bring us the already-established free software we use; and the UIML developers show that the philosophy continues to infect those seeking widespread acceptance for new technology. Finally, the presentation by Paul Everitt of Digital Creations demonstrates that there is money to be made in open-source software - in contradiction with Bob Metcalfe's criticism of the movement as anti-capitalist.

Whether "open source" loses its buzzword status in the next year or not, the talks at WWW8 indicate it will remain a powerful force in shaping the Internet and Internet business.

To be notified when new conference reports, and other content, appear on ahref.com, join our mailing list.

Edward Piou is an ahref.com producer and runs ep Productions, Incorporated, a Washington, D.C.-area development company.

view a printable version of this article