For the same reason that people publish in conferences and journals -- experimental RFCs are peer-reviewed and accessible via a stable mechanism. If experimental RFCs are peer-reviewed, that means they require a kimd of approval. Others have expplained how this approval has an effect on the public. I'm saying that the IETF should not give this approval to patent-restricted practices. Based on what you've said, the IETF could stop publishing experimental RFCs and say "Submit it to a journal instead," and there would be little loss. _______________________________________________ Ietf@xxxxxxxx https://www.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ietf