Set to launch in January 2023, the status of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) will officially be incorporated as non-profit. Negotiations began between W3C’s Board of Directors with MIT in June of last year, with the successful transition being announced at the end of October. Plans were then put into place for the current changeover. W3C will from now on operate as World Wide Web Consortium Inc., continuing its work under partnership with Beihang University, ERCIM, and Keio University.
For the evolution of W3C to World Wide Web Consortium Inc. to take place, the adoption of Bylaws such as filing for 501(c)(3) non-profit status was implemented. In addition, there was an election and seating of a Board of Directors, where staff, Member contracts and operations were transferred to the new structure.
Founded in 1994 and led by Tim Berners-Lee, W3C has been the main international standards organisation for the World Wide Web. The change to public interest and non-profit was for governance to be at the centre of the structural change, but the World Wide Web Consortium Inc assures that at operational level, the system is not changing and that the mission to “lead the web to its full potential” will continue to be at its heart.
Dr. Scott Hollier, CEO and co-founder of CFA Australia says, “CFA Australia is delighted as one of the newer W3C members to continue our strong engagement in the development of digital access guidance.”
Read the official statement by W3C’s Head of Marketing and Communications Coralie Mercier,