In article <cv3ce4-utc.ln1@g...>, 
simon@j... says...
> in message <MPG.207cba3f38602069989718@n...>, Grant Robertson
> ('bogus@b...') wrote:
> 
> > I want to give it away for free. But, in order to do that, I have to
> > ensure that it will stay free.
> 
> Seriously, if you want that, the solution is one of:
> 
> The GPL <URL:http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html> - not designed for this
> sort of thing, but with real legal teeth.

I finally found a great reference about this issue, and it supports your 
suggestions. Take a look at...

http://lists.xml.org/archives/xml-dev/200108/pdf00000.pdf

...paying particular attention to section V.D. starting on page 9. This 
paper specifically addresses my concerns about as exactly as if I had 
written them myself. The paper is written as a report from an XML.org 
working group called Legal-XML which was formed to create XML standards 
for the transmission of legal documents. Heck, if those guys don't know 
about protecting the intellectual property of XML standards then no one 
does.

So, I guess this about settles it. My notion of patenting the standard, 
though legally possible, was unnecessary. It appears that *a* GPL will do 
just fine. I don't know if the GNU GPL will exactly meet my needs but at 
least I now know I won't have to go to the expense of getting a patent.

Thanks for all your suggestions and patience. Many get pretty religious 
on this issue and won't take the time to explain themselves civilly.