Nick Johnson, ENS Lead Developer, Calls Out Unstoppable Domains
You may have seen Nick Johnson, the lead developer at Ethereum Name Service (ENS), calling out Unstoppable Domains for their actions in the Web3 domain sphere. Johnson expressed his disappointment with Unstoppable Domains’ decision to pursue patents on their work, despite their public support for open innovation.
ENS Champions Patent-Free Web3 Innovation
Johnson highlighted ENS’s commitment to patent-free innovation in the Web3 space. He emphasized that all of ENS’s work is licensed under open-source licenses and made publicly available for anyone to implement. This approach fosters an open-field environment for development on the ENS network.
A patent bestows legal rights to an invention, granting privileges to the individual or entity without interference from others seeking to replicate, utilize, or sell the innovation.
Johnson Dismisses Press Release Pledge as Insufficient
Johnson made it clear that ENS will not be pursuing patents on their works anytime soon. He stressed that ENS remains committed to ensuring open innovation in Web3 and building extensible, long-lasting systems open to all to build upon and contribute towards strengthening the blockchain domain ecosystem.
Fred Hsu, co-founder and CEO of D3, also weighed in on the issue, expressing concerns about Unstoppable Domains supposedly pursuing patents on the works of others and then using those patents in bad faith while advocating for an open ecosystem and cooperation between different players in Web3.
Unstoppable Domains has claimed to pledge its first patent to the Web3 Domain Alliance, but Johnson argued that a press release pledge is not legally binding.
Hot Take: The Battle Over Patents in Web3 Innovation
The battle over patents in Web3 innovation continues as ENS and Unstoppable Domains clash over their approaches to intellectual property rights. While ENS champions patent-free innovation, Unstoppable Domains’ pursuit of patents raises concerns about its commitment to open collaboration and cooperation within the Web3 space. As these two key players navigate this contentious issue, it remains essential for the broader community to consider the implications of patenting on Web3 development and ecosystem growth.
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