I haven't been following the situation super-closely, but I understand that the threat of W3C not ratifying the HTML5 spec as it is (or was) has curtailed the behaviour of certain individuals on a number of occasions during the HTML5 process. If so then the W3C's involvement with HTML5 has not been at all inconsequential, even if you view the formal announcement today as unimportant.
Comments
I haven't been following the situation super-closely, but I understand that the threat of W3C not ratifying the HTML5 spec as it is (or was) has curtailed the behaviour of certain individuals on a number of occasions during the HTML5 process. If so then the W3C's involvement with HTML5 has not been at all inconsequential, even if you view the formal announcement today as unimportant.