Open access

Father of the internet Sir Tim Berners-Lee earlier this year called for a “Magna Carta” for the world wide web.

However, the Magna Carta had nothing to do with democracy (rule by the people) but replaced absolute monarchy (rule by the one) with oligarchy (rule by the few), the few being the upper crust of society. Given the Magna Carta did not embody equality or democracy, perhaps Sir Tim should have called for a new slogan for the web: Patet Omnibus (open to all)?

Robert M Dunn, Edinburgh

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